Under the new mandate, all international travelers will undergo biometric checks at airports, a measure intended to prevent fugitives and wanted criminals from crossing borders
The Pakistani government has decided to strengthen airport security by installing biometric systems at all airports nationwide, a move aimed at tightening surveillance over international and domestic travel. The Ministry of Interior has instructed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to expedite the installation of biometric machines at international immigration counters to enhance passenger verification.
Under the new mandate, all international travelers will undergo biometric checks at airports, a measure intended to prevent fugitives and wanted criminals from crossing borders. The Ministry of Interior stated that biometric verification will create an additional layer of security, making unauthorised travel “nearly impossible.”
Meanwhile, security for Chinese nationals working in Pakistan has come under scrutiny following a deadly attack on October 6, in which two Chinese engineers lost their lives in an explosion near Karachi airport. The Sindh provincial administration recently held a high-level meeting to evaluate and enhance protections for Chinese citizens working on both China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and non-CPEC projects.
Sindh Interior Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, who chaired the meeting, emphasized the importance of coordinated security for all Chinese nationals. “The security of CPEC and non-CPEC affiliated Chinese citizens must be coordinated and effective at every level,” Lanjar said, adding that local businesses hosting foreign workers must also take responsibility for their safety.
Lanjar highlighted that the Sindh government will work closely with law enforcement and intelligence agencies to strengthen security for Chinese workers, particularly those involved in critical infrastructure projects. The minister’s comments follow the recent explosion outside Karachi airport, which claimed the lives of two Chinese engineers in the energy sector, just days ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Islamabad, attended by numerous foreign dignitaries.
With these measures, Pakistan aims to bolster security for both international travelers and foreign nationals residing in the country as part of its ongoing efforts to address safety and stability concerns amidst heightened regional tensions.
