Pakistan plans to modernise airports with unified security system

In a bid to improve airport efficiency and passenger experience, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi chaired a high-level meeting in Islamabad on Wednesday. The session focused on developing a coordinated strategy between the defence and interior ministries to streamline airport operations across the country.

Officials discussed a range of joint initiatives aimed at enhancing passenger facilitation at Islamabad and other major airports. A key decision was to strengthen coordination among all relevant agencies to ensure smoother operations and reduce delays.

The meeting approved the installation of modern screening equipment to upgrade the current checking system. Authorities also agreed to introduce joint counters and implement a single-point security check, allowing passengers to go through one unified screening process instead of multiple checks.

Progress on the installation of electronic gates (e-gates) was also reviewed during the meeting. Speaking on the occasion, Naqvi emphasized that a unified system using a single scanner would significantly reduce waiting times and improve efficiency. He stressed the importance of better inter-agency coordination to tackle overcrowding and long queues at airports.

“We are determined to provide citizens with modern, fast, and hassle-free travel facilities,” he stated.

Defence Secretary Muhammad Ali informed participants that state-of-the-art machinery is being imported to safeguard aircraft from bird strikes and potential accidents.

The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, Interior Secretary Muhammad Khurram Agha, Additional Interior Secretary Noor Wali Khan, Additional Defence Secretary Qaiser Suleman, DG Anti-Narcotics Force Abdul Mueed, and DG FIA Usman Anwar, among others.