GB minister issues apology over misbehavior with airport staff

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar on Friday reprimanded Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Tourism Minister Fida Hussain for misbehaving with an official at Islamabad airport over a flight delay on November 26 and asked him to submit a written apology.

A three-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by CJP Nisar resumed hearing over the matter on Friday.

The CJP summoned Islamabad Police Chief Amir Zulfiqar Khan and remarked that a case would be registered against the minister.

However, when the Islamabad police chief appeared, the CJP inquired why a case was not registered against Hussain and why he failed to appear before the court since his transfer to the post earlier this month.

“Leave your pride and arrogance at home when you arrive here,” the CJP remarked. “This is a court.”

The Islamabad police chief in response informed the court that investigation over the incident at the airport fell within the purview of Punjab police and not federal capital’s.

“Punjab police should register a case against the minister and conduct an inquiry,” CJP Nisar remarked.

“I did not push him owing to ill intentions. I pushed him, but there is a story behind it,” Hussain said in response.

“For two days, flights were not being run to GB. I am apologetic over my behaviour,” he added.

However, the top judge directed Hussain to submit a written apology over the matter.

“I regret my actions and will not repeat them in the future. I leave myself at the mercy of the court,” Hussain then wrote in his apology.

You should apologise to this innocent man who you disrespected. We are only accepting your apology because we love the people of GB.”

“I have already apologised to PIA (Pakistan International Airlines) and airport staff,” Hussain said.

According to reports, the incident took place after Hussain’s flight from Islamabad to Gilgit was delayed owing to bad weather. Hussian pushed an airport official to the ground over the issue and set fire to his clothes as protest.

Hussain was also among the other passengers of PK-507 who protested against the flight delay.