Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Saturday approved measures to eliminate difficulties faced by passengers at airports and to further facilitate their travel.
PM approves measures to facilitate passengers at airports
ISLAMABAD, Oct 10 (APP):Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Saturday approved measures to eliminate difficulties faced by passengers at airports and to further facilitate their travel.
The Prime Minister was chairing a review meeting regarding the customs system here.
The Prime Minister directed the immediate installation of smart scanners at airports.
Baggage should be screened using smart scanners rather than by Customs officials, he said and issued orders to stop Customs officials from harassing passengers with unnecessary questioning.
He directed the immediate import of smart scanners via air and their installation at all the international airports.
Outdated procedures for screening passenger baggage at airports must be abandoned, he added.
He said, “Passenger convenience and comfort are the top priority and no one will be allowed to harass passengers.”
Internationally prevalent automated systems will be introduced for screening passenger baggage, he remarked.
He said staff deployed for other airport services will also be trained according to international standards.
“Courtesy and respect for human dignity in service delivery must be made key components of the training.
The new enforcement system introduced by Customs is commendable and the credit goes to the FBR Chairman and his team,” he continued.
He said every possible measure must be taken to prevent revenue evasion.
He said, “Tax paying businesses are worthy of respect and a zero tolerance policy will be adopted against tax evaders.”
“We are custodians of the poor public’s money and will make every possible effort to safeguard it.”
During the meeting, the Prime Minister was briefed on the movement of goods and customs oversight at various locations across the country, including airports and seaports. A briefing was also given on the performance of the Customs Enforcement Force and the measures taken to curb the smuggling of petroleum products.
The meeting was informed that significant progress has been made in establishing and operationalizing digital enforcement stations under Customs Enforcement. In the first three weeks of its inception, the Indus Collectorate (Enforcement) seized goods worth approximately Rs 205 million in 80 operations; 865 personnel were deployed, and 26 key transit routes were covered.
It was further told that operations against smuggled items — such as fabric, vehicles, cigarettes, high-speed diesel, auto parts, and other goods are ongoing. Meanwhile, under customs sector reforms, the recruitment of 280 Goods Evaluators has been completed and their training is scheduled for October and November 2026.
The meeting was further informed that, as a result of reform measures taken by the FBR to curb smuggling, a unified and integrated entity has been established nationwide by consolidating the customs enforcement system.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar; Federal Ministers Azam Nazeer Tarar, Dr. Musadik Malik, Ahad Khan Cheema, Attaullah Tarar, and Shaza Fatima Khawaja; Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani; Members of the National Assembly Usman Owaisi and Rana Iradat Sharif Khan; and relevant senior officials.
