The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) fired an employee on Saturday for threatening a female Christian security officer with blasphemy accusations over a parking-related argument in Karachi.
The dispute erupted after a security officer disciplined a man for letting an acquaintance’s vehicle past security without a vehicle pass, according to video footage from Jinnah International Airport’s cargo area.
"If you don't let my car go, I will accuse you of blasphemy, will call mullahs & we will cut you into pieces."
A person threatened a Christian woman security incharge of Karachi Airport ICG warehouse.
Blasphemy laws are inflicted on us like a curse.pic.twitter.com/iU5LmIIWzK
— Mona Farooq Ahmad (@MonaChaudhryy) January 6, 2023
The man threatened the lady officer with blasphemy allegations, stating he will ‘call preachers’, and threatened to ‘cut her up’. The female officer can be heard berating the man for using blasphemy accusations as a threat and daring him to file one against her.
Videos of the incident immediately went viral on social media, evoking both praise and condemnation.
In reaction to the incident, a CAA representative stated in a statement today that the incident took place on Thursday and that authorities were aware of it.
As per the statement, the CAA staff member was fired after the initial probe, and a thorough investigation was requested.
Former President and PPP co-chairman, Asif Ali Zardari, condemned the act and asked federal and provincial governments to safeguard the female officer.
سابق صدر آصف علی کا کراچی ایئرپورٹ پر ہونے والے واقعہ کا سخت نوٹس
خاتون سیکیورٹی انچارج کو فرائض کی ادائیگی سے روکنے کیلئے ان پر توہین مذہب کا الزام شرمناک ہے، آصف علی زرداری
خاتون سیکیورٹی انچارج پر توہین مذہب کے الزام کی تحقیقات کرائی جائیں، آصف علی زرداری @AAliZardari
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) January 7, 2023
Ex-senator, Farhatullah Babar, demanded that the incident be investigated and praised the female security officer’s handling of the issue.
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
Moreover, human rights activist and lawyer, Jibran Nasir, said the perpetrator should be arrested and imprisoned for making such threats to a government employee, and he regretted that the dignity of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) has been reduced to a weapon to be exploited for convenience.
Even for making such threats to a Govt officer the accused should be apprehended & prosecuted. These so called followers of Prophet SAW have reduced his honor to a tool to be used for convenience. May wrath of Allah be upon all those who use Prophet's honor to blackmail innocents https://t.co/bOzdG3OzV8
— M. Jibran Nasir 🇵🇸 (@MJibranNasir) January 7, 2023
