The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) has completed the design phase for a biometric e-gates project, which will introduce automated immigration checkpoints at major international airports to accelerate passenger processing. The plan covers Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore.
The design work followed a workshop with aviation, immigration, and airline stakeholders. German consultancy M2P Consulting has been tasked with preparing technical specifications and tender documents for procurement and installation.
In the first phase, the e-gates will be deployed at Islamabad International Airport, followed by Jinnah International in Karachi and Allama Iqbal International in Lahore. Around 100 e-gates are expected to be installed across the three airports during the rollout.
The project is part of Pakistan’s wider airport modernization program under the Digital Nation Pakistan Act, passed earlier in 2025. It builds on earlier announcements that Pakistan would install biometric e-gates at major airports. The initiative also aligns with the country’s broader digital identity efforts, including the Pak ID mobile app with digital ID storage and face verification and the requirement for biometric checks on mobile wallet transactions.
Automated border control systems such as e-gates use biometrics including facial images, fingerprints, or iris scans to verify travelers against identity documents. They are increasingly deployed worldwide to reduce queues, streamline immigration checks, and enhance security.
For technology vendors, the rollout represents a significant opportunity in South Asia. Challenges will include integrating with existing immigration systems, ensuring biometric accuracy across diverse populations, and safeguarding personal data in compliance with privacy standards.
Sources: Passenger Terminal Today, Dawn, M2P Consulting
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By the ID Tech Editorial Team
