Airports Security Force Act, 1975

This 1975 Act creates and regulates the Airports Security Force (ASF), the paramilitary force responsible for security at Pakistan's airports and aerodromes. Section 3 authorises the Federal Government to constitute and maintain the Force, listing its functions: securing airports, aerodromes, aircraft and civil aviation installations against unlawful interference; protecting operators' and government property within airport limits; maintaining law and order at airports alongside the police; and safeguarding passengers, baggage, cargo and mail.

Section 4 puts a Director-General, appointed by the Federal Government, at the head of the Force, with rank structure, pay and privileges of officers and members prescribed by rules. Section 6 sets out the powers and duties of ASF officers and members, including taking measures against hijacking, sabotage, car bombs, letter bombs and smuggled arms; notifying customs of any contraband detected; preventing unauthorised access to restricted "air side" areas; and — notably — the power to search and arrest without warrant anyone suspected of endangering the safety of an airport, aircraft or aviation installation, using force where necessary. Under Section 6(2), an ASF officer exercises all the powers of a police station house officer under the Police Order, 2002 and the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898.

Chapter IV (Sections 7A–7G, added by later amendment) subjects ASF officers and members to the Pakistan Army Act, 1952, meaning they can face court martial-type proceedings, with the Director-General exercising the powers of an officer who convenes a general court martial. Section 7B states that a member sentenced to imprisonment of ninety days or more is automatically deemed dismissed from the Force, and Section 7F gives a right of appeal within thirty days to a higher officer, and a right to seek revision from the Federal Government within thirty days of a Director-General's punishment order.

Section 8 grants indemnity, shielding anyone from suit or prosecution for acts done in good faith under the Act or its rules and regulations. Sections 11 and 12 let the Federal Government make rules and the Director-General make regulations (with government approval) to carry out the Act's purposes. The extract shows the Act has been amended multiple times since 1975 (notably in 1984, 1994 and 2012, including renaming the head of the Force from "Commander" to "Director-General"), so current rank titles and procedural details should be verified against the official text.