The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) dismissed an employee who had threatened a female Christian security officer with blasphemy charges over a parking dispute in Karachi a few days ago.
According to reports of the incident at Jinnah International Airport’s cargo area, the heated exchange occurred after the female security officer reprimanded a man for allowing his acquaintance’s vehicle through security checks without an appropriate vehicle pass.
The man allegedly threatens the female official with blasphemy accusations, after which the female security official can be heard calling the man out for threatening her. She then dares him to register a blasphemy case against her.
Man Threats Cristian Lady Officer on Karachi Airport | Accusation of Blasphemy Against the Women in charge of the Responsible institution pic.twitter.com/kWlUNTYS4y
— The Friday Times (@TFT_) January 7, 2023
In a statement issued on Saturday, the CAA spokesperson said the incident occurred on Thursday and CAA officials were aware of the matter.
The statement said that as per the initial investigation, the male CAA employee – identified only as S – was dismissed from service, and a comprehensive investigation was ordered into the matter.
Meanwhile, former president and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari took notice of the incident, and urged the federal and provincial authorities to provide security to the female officer.
“It was shameful that the woman security in-charge was threatened with a blasphemy case when she performed her duty,” he said, demanding a thorough inquiry of the incident.
“Accusation of blasphemy is a very dangerous act,” Zardari said, adding that some elements want to defame Pakistan by exploiting the garb of religion. “The government and the people must discourage such thinking”.
“If the accusation against the female security officer is proved false, the accuser should be severely punished,” the PPP leader demanded.
Seasoned politician and former senator Farhatullah Babar saluted the female security officer’s courage and presence of mind, and also urged authorities to take notice of the incident and implement policies to prevent them from happening again.
Salute to this courageous Christian female official, refusing to be deterred by false accusations of blasphemy. That’s the way to fight out the bigoted. Authorities take notice. Implement the 2018 report of the Senate human rights committee on blasphemy. https://t.co/c9Rd4VOKB4
— Farhatullah Babar (@FarhatullahB) January 7, 2023
