Female Sky Marshal

ajee · July 22, 2002, 12:23pm

By Frances Harrison
BBC Islamabad correspondent

For the first time in Pakistani history women have been trained for combat.
Nine female cadets have been taught to kick, punch and if necessary kill a plane hijacker with their bare hands.

They are part of the first batch of about 50 sky marshals due to be deployed on Pakistani flights from this week.

The authorities hope the scheme will build confidence among passengers and the international community.

“We are all proud of what we’ve achieved and we would like other Pakistani women to join us - we want them to be strong,” said Nadia Farheen, one of the new recruits.

She volunteered for the 10 week training course only after seeking permission from her family.

All the female sky marshals are unmarried and in their early 20s but Nadia says even if she does get married in the future she will continue her new career.

“There’s no restriction from the authorities,” she explained.

“It was a very tough course,” said Major Syed Hamid Raza of the Pakistan army, who gave instruction in unarmed combat and anti-hijack techniques, “but the women came up to standard”.

The training involved an exercise on board an airliner where the crew pretended to be passengers in a hostage situation.

“The ladies did very well and snatched the arms from the hijacker,” said Major Hamid.

Physical endurance

One female cadet did not make it through the training - the authorities say she simply was not physically fit enough.

“I believe this will instil confidence in all passengers and especially international companies operating here,” said Brigadier Javed Iqbal Sattar, commander of the Airport Security Force.

A new training school has been inaugurated in Karachi and more instructors are being trained to meet the heightened security demands in the wake of 11 September.

Brigadier Iqbal said that every flight within Pakistan will have a sky marshal on board from now on and that the female marshals will be deployed at random on those flights.

The women will be dressed to look like passengers while the men have been told that their hair should not be too “military looking” lest they stand out from the crowd.

Wow! I guess guys should be careful flirting around in PIA the next time. :~)

Pakistani_Tiger · July 22, 2002, 12:36pm

Good step

http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/smile.gif

Women should come farward in every field of life as Pakistani society has been dominated by men since it came into being!

http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/hula.gif

TAKE YOUR BEST SHOT AT ME

http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/hula.gif

Abdali · July 22, 2002, 4:19pm

Khilafa Johnny Walker only wants pretty women as sky marshals in his plane.

http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by Abdali (edited July 22, 2002).]

ZulfiOKC · July 22, 2002, 9:33pm

It's a great step taken by the CAA. Does anybody have an idea how many female cadets will be hired, and also, are these female cadets going to be on demestic flights only or are they going be on international flights as well?

Spock · July 22, 2002, 9:35pm

I will personally make sure he is not disspointed… I will train them myself…

PyariCgudia · July 22, 2002, 11:48pm

Yeh Khalifa Johnny Walker kaun hai?

http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/smash.gif

Mujhe bhi batao!

Yeah, I agree this is a great step from Pakistan’s side. Oh wait, but the mullahs wont like it - they’ll quote the Quranic verse that says men were made stronger than women, and thus shouldn’t be trained in defense!

sighz hamarey mullahs - kash woh India ke mullahs hotay!

Abdali · July 23, 2002, 12:34am

Hare Om hare Om aap ki tashrif awari ka shukaria. Khilafa Johhny Walker aap ki khidmat mein hazir haey, aap hukum kijiaa.

I have four Ameers in my khalafat and you can be one of my AMeeran.

Spock · July 23, 2002, 12:50am

Jonny Walker is truely a hero, a very liberal man, for he is ready to induct women into his ameeroon walli cabinet…

http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/wink.gif

The khalifah (Jonny Walker) will make sure Pakistans resources are effectively utilitized and will ensure that women contribute to the society.

[This message has been edited by Spock (edited July 22, 2002).]

Abdali · July 23, 2002, 7:40pm

[quote]
Originally posted by Spock:
** The khalifah (Jonny Walker) will make sure Pakistans resources are effectively utilitized and will ensure that women contribute to the society.

**
[/quote]

Absolutely absolutely!! what you say PG?

PyariCgudia · July 23, 2002, 9:20pm

I'm consulting my advisors.

I'LL call YOU.

Abdali · July 23, 2002, 9:32pm

No No No please let me do the honor of calling you! give me your phone number I want to congratulate khilafas future Ameeran personally…

http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/biggrin.gif