Naqvi visits Lahore airport, directs measures to expedite immigration process

• Naqvi inquires airport staff about issues faced by passengers.
• Directs authorities to keep all immigration counters operational.
• Minister directs arrest of agent demanding money from passenger.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday visited Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore, directing authorities to expedite the immigration process and facilities for passengers.

During the visit, the interior minister inspected immigration counters and asked staff about the procedures and issues faced by passengers.

Naqvi also spoke to passengers about the time taken for immigration clearance at the airport.

Passengers told the minister that the process was taking around 30 minutes and called for further improvement in arrangements.

Taking notice of passengers’ concerns, Naqvi directed officials to expedite the immigration process and keep all immigration counters operational to avoid unnecessary delays.

A passenger also complained about an agent allegedly demanding money, prompting a notice from the minister who referred the matter to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) director and directed the agent’s arrest.

Naqvi said that passengers with incomplete travel documents would not be allowed to travel, while those possessing complete documents would not be stopped from travelling.

He said that modern technology had made the immigration process easier, while strict action was being taken against those attempting to travel on fake documents.

In April, a high-level meeting chaired by Naqvi approved the installation of advanced screening machinery to improve the checking system at airports across the country.

Officials at the meeting had agreed that joint counters would be established, introducing a single-point checking mechanism to reduce delays.

“A unified checking system on a single scanner will save significant time,” Naqvi had said during the meeting, adding that better coordination among institutions was essential to reduce crowding and long queues at airports.

“We are committed to offering the public modern, fast, and convenient travel facilities,” he had said.