Sindh High Court asks CAA, others to provide information on
explosive detectors
The Sindh High Court has instructed the Civil Aviation
Authority (CAA) and other relevant parties to provide confirmation regarding
the upgrade status of explosive detection devices, aiming to enhance safety and
security measures at airports, aerodromes, aircraft, and civil aviation
facilities/parking areas.
This directive stems from an application seeking compliance
with a court order for the improvement of explosive detection devices. The
court's initial order was prompted by a petition from a public interest law
association in Pakistan that raised concerns about the licensing and production
of bomb detectors named "Khoji," which were licensed and manufactured
by the Airport Security Force (ASF).
The applicant's legal representative informed the court that
it had previously instructed the CAA to make the necessary arrangements for
acquiring equipment or technology for the ASF if the current explosive
detector, "Khoji," needed upgrading to enhance safety and security
measures at various aviation facilities.
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He further noted that the court had directed the ASF to
ensure foolproof safety and security at all airports, aerodromes, aircraft, and
civil aviation installations while also safeguarding civil aviation against
unlawful interference, as per the ASF Act.
The attorney highlighted that the court had also called upon
the Directors General of the CAA and the ASF to convene a high-level meeting to
reassess security measures in the broader public interest.
Furthermore, he mentioned that the court had emphasized that
if further efforts or measures were necessary to modernize and enhance the
current "Khoji" detector or to consider alternative or advanced
technologies to improve safety and security measures at aviation facilities,
the CAA should arrange for the procurement of such equipment or technology for
the ASF.
The legal representative pointed out that there has been no
significant action taken thus far by the authorities, and no information has
been made public regarding the effectiveness of the controversial explosive
detection device used for airport security. Consequently, the ASF and the CAA
were contacted to inquire about compliance with the court's directives and
whether any remedial actions were taken.
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He noted that the ASF provided an insufficient response
regarding compliance with the court's orders and failed to provide documentary
evidence to support the claim that the explosive detector was effective and not
fraudulent. Therefore, the court was asked to instruct the ASF and other
respondents to submit a compliance report.
A division bench, led by Justice Yousuf Ali Sayeed, after
hearing the applicant's counsel, has issued notices to the ASF, the CAA, and
other relevant parties, requesting their comments by October 20.
The petitioner had initially sought a restraining order
against the CAA and the ASF, preventing them from licensing, manufacturing, and
using the "Khoji" bomb detector, alleging that it was developed using
deceptive technology.
Source: The News