Pakistan scored 86.73 percent in the Universal Security Audit Program, which is significantly better than the global average of 71 percent and India’s 73 percent
Aviation reporter,Daily Dawn, Dawn TV report
ISLAMABAD: A three-member team from the UK Department for Transport (DST) on Thursday completed an inspection of aviation security arrangements at Islamabad International Airport, which was described as ‘satisfactory and in line with international standards’.
This was stated by a spokesperson for the Airport Security Force (ASF), who said that the team had arrived in Pakistan on July 8 for a three-day inspection.
Accompanied by a representative of the British High Commission, the team began its review with an inaugural meeting, which was attended by the Chief Security Officer and representatives of other relevant agencies.
According to the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA), ‘the initial briefing was attended by representatives of all aviation-related security agencies including PAA officials, ASF personnel, PIA, British Airways, Air Blue, Kitchen Cuisine, Ross Menzies and other organizations.’
The inspection reviewed security deployment, internal discipline, screening procedures, pass issuance process, vehicle and staff checking, CCTV system, external security, presence of quick response force, drone arrangements and emergency response capabilities of ASF.
The team also inspected catering arrangements and flight operations. At the end of the visit, the British inspectors appreciated the efforts of the Airport Security Force to ensure safe air travel.
PCAA spokesperson Shahid Qadri has said that a Saudi aviation security team will inspect seven major airports in Pakistan from August, including Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Sialkot and Multan.
Shahid Qadri said that ‘the Director General of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) of Saudi Arabia has requested Pakistan’s DG Civil Aviation Nadeer Shafi Dar to conduct security inspections of seven airports. The Saudi team will visit Pakistan in August and October.’
The team will be in close contact with the PCAA’s Directorate of Aviation Security (Avi Security), which will host the visiting delegation. These inspections are being conducted at a time when Pakistan’s civil aviation sector is showing significant improvement in international standards.
Pakistan scored 86.73 percent in the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Universal Security Audit Program (USAP), significantly better than the global average of 71 percent and India’s 73 percent.
Leave a Reply