THE AIRPORTS SECURITY FORCE ACT, 1975

 

The Airport Security Force Act of 1975 is a crucial piece of legislation in Pakistan that establishes and empowers the Airport Security Force (ASF). The primary aim of this act is to ensure the safety and security of airports, aviation facilities, and passengers. The ASF is entrusted with the vital responsibility of safeguarding Pakistan’s airports and the aviation industry against various threats, including acts of terrorism and unlawful interference. This act plays a pivotal role in maintaining the integrity and security of the nation’s air transportation infrastructure.

_____________

CHAPTER I

SECTIONS:

1. Short title, extent, application and commencement.
2. Definitions.

CHAPTER II

3. Power to constitute and maintain the Airports Security Force and its functions.
4. Constitution of the Airports Security Force.
5. Administration of the Force.

CHAPTER III

6. Powers and duties of officers and members.
7. Liabilities of officers and members.

CHAPTER IV

7A Officers and members to be subject to the Pakistan Army Act, 1952.

7B Consequence of sentence of imprisonment.

7C Suspension.

7D Place of imprisonment.

Updated till 31.8.2022

7E Capture of deserters.

7F Appeal and revision.

7G Appointment of officers and other members of the Force.

CHAPTER V

8. Indemnity.
9. Delegation of powers by the Federal Government.
10. Delegation of powers by the Director-General.
11. Power to make rules.
12. Power to make regulations.
13. [Repeal].

THE AIRPORTS SECURITY FORCE ACT, 1975

1ACT No. LXXVII OF 1975

[13th December, 1975]

An Act to provide for the constitution and regulation of the Airports Security Force.

WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for the constitution and regulation of the Airports

Security Force for ensuring security of all aerodromes, airports, aircraft and civil aviation

installations, and for the maintenance of law and order therein, and for matters connected therewith

or ancillary thereto ;

It is hereby enacted as follows:―

___________

CHAPTER I

1. Short title, extent, application and commencement.

called the Airports Security Force Act, 1975.

(1) This Act may be

(2) It extends to all aerodromes and airports, all civil aviation stations, centres or offices

in Pakistan, all Pakistan air services and activities relating to civil aviation.

(3) It shall apply to all members and officers of the Force wherever they may be.

(4) It shall come into force at once.

2. Definitions.―In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or

context,

(a) “aerodrome” means any area of land or water designed, equipped, set apart or

commonly used or intended to be used, either wholly or in part, for affording

facilities for the landing, departure and movement of aircraft and includes all

buildings, sheds, vessels, piers, installations and equipments, and other

structures thereon or appertaining thereto, but does not include any

aerodrome which is exclusively used by the Pakistan Air Force or any portion

of an aerodrome which is used by the Pakistan Air Force ;

(b) “aircraft” means any machine which can derive support in the atmosphere

from the reactions of the air, other than the reactions of the air against the earth’s

surface, and includes balloons, whether captive or free, airships, kites, gliders

and flying machines ;

1

For Statement of Objects and Reasons, see Gaz. of P., 1975, Ext., Pt.III, p.1027.

3

(c) “airport” means an aerodrome at which facilities have, in the opinion of the

Federal Government, been sufficiently developed to be of importance to civil

aviation;

(d) “air service” means a service of aircraft for any purpose of civil aviation,

whether aerial work, public transport or otherwise ;

(e) “air side” meansthe movement area of an aerodrome, adjacent terrain and buildings

or portions thereof, access to which is controlled by the 1

[force];

(f) “competent authority” means any officer or authority designated as such by

the Federal Government ;

1* * * * * * *

(h) “Force” means the Airports Security Force constituted under section 3 ;

(i) 2

[Director General] means the Commander incharge of the Force;

1* * * * * * *

(k) “member” means a person, other than an officer, who is appointed to the

Force and has signed an affirmation in the form set out in the First Schedule ;

(1) “officer” means a person who is so appointed to the Force and has signed an

affirmation in the form set out in the First Schedule ;

(m) “operator” means a person, organisation or enterprise engaged in or offering to

engage in aircraft operation ;

(n) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules or regulations ;

(o) “purposes of civil aviation” include all purposes connected with civil aviation and

with air navigation, except purposes of defence by air ;

(p) “regulations” means regulations made under this Act ; and

(q) “rules” means rules made under this Act.

1

Subs. and omitted by the Air Ports Security Force (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (35 of 1984), s.3

2Subs by Act No.XXV of 2012, s 2

3

CHAPTER II

3. Power to constitute and maintain the Airports Security Force and its

functions. (1) The Federal Government may constitute and maintain a force to be called

the Airport Security Force for performing the following functions, namely :

(a) ensuring security of all airports, aerodromes, aircraft and civil Aviation

installations 1

[within the limits of airports and aerodromes] and for

safeguarding civil aviation against acts of unlawful interference or threats of

such interference ;

(b) ensuring security of all structures, equipments, material and installations

belonging to operators and other Government or non-Government

organisations within the limits of airports and aerodromes ;

1

* * * * * * *

1

* * * * * * *

(e) ensuring the proper conduct of persons at airports and aerodromes

1

* * *

including control of surface vehicles and drivers within the limits of airports and

aerodromes ;

(f) ensuring security of aircraft passengers, baggage, cargo and mail within the

limits of airports and aerodromes ;

(g) general maintenance of law and order within the limits of airports and aerodromes

in conjunction with the police and taking cognizance of all offences committed at

the airports and aerodromes under any law for the time being in force ; and

(h) such other functions as the Federal Government may, by notification in the official

Gazette, require the Force to perform.

(2) In the discharge of their functions, the officers and members shall be guided by,

and act in accordance with, this Act, 2

* * * and the rules and regulations.

4. Constitution of the Airports Security Force.- (1) The head of the Force shall be

a

3

[Director General] appointed by the Federal Government.

(2) The Force shall consist of such ranks and number of officers and members and shall

be constituted in such manner as may be prescribed by rules.

(3) The officers and members shall receive such pay, pension, allowances and other

remuneration and shall enjoy such leave and other privileges as may be prescribed by rules

from time to time.

1

Ins. and omitted by the Air Ports Security Force (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (35 of 1984),s.4.

2Certain words which were previously subs. by Ord. 27 of 1981, s.3 and Sch.II have been omitted by the Airports Security Force

(Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (35 of 1984),s.4

3Subs by Act No XXV of 2012, S.2.

4

(4) Every officer and member shall receive on his appointment a certificate in the

form set out in the Second Schedule under the seal of the 1

[Director General] or such other

officer as the 1

[Director General] may authorise in this behalf and by virtue of holding

such certificate he shall be vested with the powers, functions and privileges of an officer or

member.

(5) Any person who ceases, for any reason, to be an officer or member shall

forthwith surrender the certificate referred to in subsection (4) to any officer authorised by

the 1

[Director General] in this behalf.

(6) Officers and members of the Force shall wear such uniforms as may be

prescribed by regulations.

5. Administration of the Force. (1) The administration of the Force shall vest in

the 1

[Director General] who shall administer it in accordance with the provisions of this Act,

rules and such orders and instructions as may be made or issued by the Federal Government

from time to time.

(2) The 1

[Director General] shall exercise his powers and perform his functions under

the general supervision 2

[and direction of the Federal Government].

CHAPTER III

6. Powers and duties of officers and members.- (1) An officer or member shall

(a) take effective measures for ensuring security of all airports, aerodromes,

aircraft and civil aviation installations 3

[within the limits of airports and

aerodromes] and for safeguarding civil aviation against acts of unlawful

interference;

(b) safeguard aircraft passengers, baggage, cargo and mail within the limits of

aerodromes and airports ;

(c) prevent unauthorised persons and vehicles from access to the air-side or other

areas important to the security of the aerodromes of airports ;

(d) require the operations of aircraft registered in Pakistan to conform to the

prescribed civil aviation security requirements ;

3

[(e) take effective measures for preventing hijacking, sabotage, placement of car

bombs, letter bombs and dangerous articles and carriage of arms and

ammunitions into the restricted areas of the airports, aerodromes and aircraft

except as authorised by him, and shall, as soon as he detects any contraband

on the person or in the baggage of any person checked by him, notify it to the

customs staff available at the airport or aerodrome for appropriate action

under the Customs Act, 1969 (IV of 1969);]

1Subs by Act No XXV of 2012, S.2.

2Subs by the Airports Security Force (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984,s.5.

3

Ins .and subs ibit., s.6.

5

(f) use such arms and ammunition and equipment as may be authorised by the

1

[Director General] 2

[or an officer authorised by him] for the purposes of this

Act ;

(g) search and arrest without warrant any person who he suspects of endangering,

or attempting to endanger, or having endangered, the safety of an aerodrome

or airport or an aircraft or a civil aviation installation and may use such force

as may be necessary in the discharge of his duties aforesaid ; and

(h) perform such other functions as the competent authority may require him to

perform.

3

[1A) The 1

[Director General] may, with the previous approval of the Federal

Government, call for military assistance in connection with post-landing and anti-hijacking

operations at an airport or aerodrome; and, when he does so, all officers and members and

all civil agencies operating at the airport or aerodrome shall function in accordance with the

directions of the military authority rendering such assistance.]

(2) An officer, for the purpose of this Act, shall exercise, within the areas in which this

Act applies, all the powers conferred on an officer-in-charge of a police station under the 1

[

Police Order, 2002 (Chief Executive’s Order No. 22 of 2002)], and the Code of Criminal

Procedure, 1898 Act (V of 1898).

7. Liabilities of officers and members. (1) It shall be the duty of every officer and

member promptly to obey and execute all orders and instructions issued to him by any

competent authority.

(2) Every officer and member shall be liable to serve wherever he is required to serve by

the competent authority.

4* * * * * * *

1Subs by Act No XXV of 2012, S.2.

2

Ins. Ibid

3

Ins. by the Airports Security Force (amdt.) Ordinance 1984 (35 of 1984 ), s.6.

4Omitted ibid. , s.7.

6

1

[CHAPTER IV]

7A. Officers and members to be subject to the Pakistan Army Act, 1952.— (1)

Every officer and member of the Force shall, unless he is already so subject, be subject to

the Pakistan Army Act, 1952 (XXXIX of 1952) hereafter in this Chapter referred to as the

Act.

(2) The 2

[Director General] shall, in respect of all officers and members of the Force,

have all the powers conferred by or under the Act on an officer empowered to convene a

general court martial.

(3) Subject to sub-section (2), the Federal Government may, by general or special

order, direct by what authority any jurisdiction, powers or duties incidental to the operation

of the provisions of the Act shall be exercised or performed in respect of the Force.

3

[(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in

force, except the authorities specified in sub-sections (1) and (2) of section 7F, no other

authority, tribunal or court shall have jurisdiction to vary, modify; alter, annual, set aside,

revise or review any order passed by any officer of the Force, authorised under the Pakistan

Army Act, 1952 (XXXIX of 1952).

7B. Consequence of sentence of imprisonment. An officer or member of the Force

who is sentenced to imprisonment for a term which is not less than ninety days shall be deemed

to have been dismissed from the Force.

7C. Suspension. Any officer shall be competent to suspend in the prescribed manner

a member of the Force working under him for any mis-conduct, remissness or negligence in

the discharge of his duties.

7D. Place of imprisonment. If a member of the Force sentenced under the Act to

imprisonment for a term shorter than ninety days is also dismissed from service, he shall be

imprisoned in the nearest prison or such other prison as the Federal Government may, by

general or special order, direct; but if he is not so dismissed, he may be confined in a quarter

guard or such other place as the 2

[Director General] may consider suitable.

7E. Capture of deserters.— (1) Whenever any person subject to the Act deserts, the

Chief Security Officer shall give written information of the desertion to such civil authorities

as in his opinion may be able to afford assistance towards the capture of the deserter and

such authorities shall thereupon take steps for the apprehension of the said deserter in like

manner as if he were a person for whose apprehension a warrant had been issued by a

Magistrate, and shall deliver the deserter, when apprehended, into the custody of the Force.

1

Ins. ibid., s. 8.

2Subs by Act No XXV of 2012, S.2.

3New sub-section (4) added by the Airports Security Force (Amdt.) Act 1994, (16 of 1994),s.2.

7

(2) Any police officer may arrest without warrant any person whom he reasonably

believes to be subject to the Act and a deserter or absentee without leave and bring him without

delay before the nearest Magistrate to be dealt with according to law.

7F. Appeal and revision.—(1) In all cases decided by the 1

[Director], a Chief Security

Officer or any other officer, a person aggrieved may, within thirty days of the order, appeal to

the officer higher than the one awarding the punishment.

(2) A person aggrieved by an order of the 1

[Director General] awarding any punishment

may, within thirty days of the order, apply to the Federal Government for revision.

7G. Appointment of officers and other members of the Force.— 1

[(1) The Federal

Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, appoint a Deputy Director-General

(Coordination) and such number of Directors, Deputy Directors, Assistant Directors and

Deputy Assistant Directors as it may think fit.]

(2) The 1

[Director General] may appoint, within the cadre strength sanctioned by the

Federal Government, such number of Inspectors, Sub-Inspectors, Assistant Sub-Inspectors,

1

[Sergeants] and 1

[Corporals] as he may consider necessary for the efficient performance of

the functions of the Force.

(3) The rank structure of the officers and other members of the Force vis-a-vis the

Pakistan Army shall be such as may be prescribed by rule.]

1Subs by Act No XXV of 2012, SS.2.4.5.

8

1

[CHAPER V]

8. Indemnity. No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against any

person for anything which is in good faith done, or intended to be done, under this Act or the

rules or regulations.

9. Delegation of powers by the Federal Government. The Federal Government

may, by notification in the official Gazette, delegate all or any of its powers under this Act,

except those under section 11, to the 2

[

3

[Director General] or such officer as it may deem fit.]

10. Delegation of powers by the Director-General. The 3

[Director General] may, by

notification in the official Gazette and with the prior approval in writing of the Federal

Government, delegate all or any of his powers under the rules for the efficient functioning of

the Force to any officer or authority subordinate to him.

11. Power to make rules. The Federal Government may, by notification in the official

Gazette, make 4

rules

(a) regulating the functions and powers of the officers;

(b) regulating the classes and grades of, and the remuneration and rewards to be

paid to, the officers and members of the Force and their conditions of service;

5

* * * * * * *

5

* * * * * * *

(e) generally for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this Act.

12. Power to make regulations. The 3

[Director General] may, by notification in the

official Gazette and with the prior approval in writing of the Federal Government, make

regulations consistent with this Act and the rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act.

13. [Repeal] Omitted by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance,

1981 (XXVII of 1981), s.3 and Sch.,II.

1

Ins. by the Airport Security Force (Amdt.) Ordinance 1984 (35 of 1984) S.9.

2

Subs. ibid., s. 2.

3Subs by Act No XXV of 2012, S.5.

4

For the Air Ports Security Force (Discipline) Rules, 1977, see S.R.O. No. 1027(l)/77, dated the 28th October. 1977 vide

Gaz. of P., 1977

Ext.. (Islamabad), Pt. II. pp. 1783—1787.

5Omitted by the Air Ports Security Force (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (35 of 1984), s.11

9

FIRST SCHEDULE

[See section 2 (k) and (1)]

FORM OF AFFIRMATION

I,………………………………………………solemnly affirm in the presence of

Almighty Allah that I will bear true faith and allegiance to Pakistan and that I will, as in duty

bound, honestly and faithfully serve in the Airports Security Force and go wherever I may

be ordered by air, land or sea, and that I will observe and obey all commands of any officer set

over me even to the peril of my life.

Signed in acknowledgement of the above having been read out to me.

Person Enrolled

Date…………

Signed in my presence after I had ascertained that the person understood the purpose

of what he signed.

1

[Director General]

or

other Enrolling Officer.

ROMAN URDU TRANSLATION OF AFFIRMATION

Main………………………………………………Khuda-e-Taala ko Hazir-o-Nazir

Janker iman se iqrar karta hun key main Pakistan ka sache dil se wafadar rahunga aur Airports

Security Force men imandari aur wafadari se khidmat ka farz baja launga, aur hawa,

khushki ya tari ke raste jahan bhi jane ka hukam melega jaonga aur jise mera afsar muqarar kia

jaega uskey har hukam ki tamil aur pairwi karunga, khah usmen jan ka khatra ho.

SECOND SCHEDULE

[See section 4(4)]

CERTIFICATE

Mr……………………………has been appointed as officer/member of the Airports Security

Force under the Airports Security Force Act, 1975 (………..of 1975), and is vested with the

powers, functions and privileges of an officer/member of the Force.

1Subs by Act No XXV of 2012, S.2.

 

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