Probe ordered after ASF cuts woman pilgrim’s hair

An inquiry has been ordered into an alleged cutting of hair of a woman pilgrim over suspicion at Karachi airport.

Earlier, the Airport Security Force (ASF) staff had cut the hair of a woman pilgrim over some suspicion at the airport.

The Ministry of Aviation, through an order, constituted a four-member board of inquiry (BoI) to probe and ascertain the facts of the case. The board is also tasked with the responsibilities to examine established procedures and protocols for passenger screening and scanning at the airport, and examine the duties of government entities associated with passenger screening and scanning. The board will submit its report within two days.

According to the order, the incident was reported on June 1, where ASF staff posted at international departures stopped Ms Seema Bano and her husband Muhammad Shafi Ahmed. The couple were travelling for Haj via flight SV-701. While the Anti-Narcotics Force had cleared Bano, the ASF officials raised suspicions, cutting her hair.

Later, after scanning, Bano was cleared to board the plane, the order further said.

The order maintained that it is considered necessary to probe into the matter to find the facts of the incident and fix responsibility.