Pakistan is engaging in discussions with a United Arab Emirates (UAE) company to introduce e-gates at major airports, including Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, Lahore’s Allama Iqbal Airport, and Islamabad International Airport, for self-immigration services akin to developed countries.
Sources within the airport indicate that the implementation of e-gates at these airports is being considered to enhance immigration services for passengers from developed nations. This move aligns with practices at airports in Birmingham, Edinburgh, Dubai, and other developed regions, where passengers can smoothly navigate through automated self-service immigration barriers, avoiding queues.
To utilize the e-gates facility, passengers will need an e-passport, and only individuals with such passports will have access to this streamlined immigration service. E-gates, also recognized as automated border control systems (ABC), function as automated self-service barriers. These systems use data stored in the chip of biometric passports to verify the identity of the passport holder when entering the e-gates.
The former aviation minister, Khawaja Saad Rafique, announced on July 21 in the National Assembly that Islamabad airport is set to be outsourced for 15 years to enhance operational activities. He clarified that this move is not tantamount to privatization but aims to bring in proficient operators to improve airport operations. The minister emphasized a commitment to open competitive bidding, ensuring that the best bidder is granted the opportunity to operate the airport. This approach is intended to be profit-oriented, ultimately benefiting the national exchequer.
