Pakistan moves towards one-window airport clearance with e-gates, smart scanners Pakistan is advancing plans to implement a unified airport clearance system designed to reduce congestion and improve the passenger experience at major airports nationwide. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced the initiative during a high-level meeting held on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, emphasizing that the new system will centralize security checks through joint counters and a single scanning process. Under the proposed framework, all relevant institutions—including immigration, customs, and security agencies—will conduct unified verification using modern e-gates equipped with smart scanners. This approach aims to replace fragmented procedures with a streamlined process that saves time and facilitates smoother travel. Naqvi stated, “Unified checking on a single scanner by all institutions will save time and facilitate passengers,” adding that the government is committed to reducing wait times through better interagency coordination. The meeting, which included the Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry, Interior Secretary Muhammad Khurram Agha, Defence Secretary Lt Gen (Retd) Muhammad Ali, and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) DG Dr Usman Anwar, focused on integrating technology and institutional collaboration to address growing passenger volumes. In 2025, Pakistan handled 25.4 million domestic and international passengers, marking a 12 percent increase compared to the previous year, according to Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data. Officials noted that rising traffic has intensified congestion at key airports, prompting the need for modernization. The plan includes the installation of advanced baggage and document scanners to enhance verification speed and improve detection capabilities. Authorities stressed that the system will maintain high security standards while significantly cutting processing delays. A similar announcement from the Business Recorder confirmed that under the new plan, all security checks will be centralized at joint counters utilizing a unified scanning system to save time and reduce congestion, ensuring faster and more efficient clearance without compromising safety. The initiative reflects a broader effort to modernize Pakistan’s aviation infrastructure, aligning with recent upgrades such as the approval of over Rs5 billion for advanced air traffic control systems at Karachi and Lahore airports. Together, these measures aim to strengthen operational efficiency, safety, and service quality across the country’s airspace and airport facilities.
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