Islamabad (TDI): A team from the United Kingdom’s Department for Transport concluded a three-day inspection of Islamabad International Airport on Thursday, expressing satisfaction with the security arrangements in place.
According to the Airport Security Force (ASF), the British officials found the measures aligned with global aviation security standards.
The British team landed in Islamabad on July 8 and spent the next few days going through various security processes at the airport. Their focus was on checking how the system operates day-to-day, not just on paper, but in real-time situations.
The visit began with a sit-down between the inspectors and all relevant airport personnel. Representatives from the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA), ASF, Pakistan International Airlines, British Airways, Air Blue, and several catering and ground-handling firms were present. Everyone involved had a chance to share updates and address questions directly.
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During their visit, the inspectors examined a broad range of security elements. These included passenger screening, vehicle checks, perimeter safety, CCTV coverage, issuance of security passes, and emergency response readiness. They also assessed drone mitigation systems and procedures related to catering and flight operations.
At the end of the assessment, the British delegation commended the ASF for its efforts to ensure secure and efficient air travel.
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Meanwhile, Pakistan is preparing to host a delegation from Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), which will conduct security audits at seven major airports. The visit, planned for August and October, will cover facilities in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Sialkot, and Multan.
Pakistan’s performance in international aviation security audits has been on the rise. In a recent assessment by the International Civil Aviation Organization, the country received an 86.73% rating under the Universal Security Audit Programme. That’s a significant jump, placing Pakistan ahead of the global average of 71%, and also higher than India’s score of 73%.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
