Pakistan Mandates Biometric Screening at Airports

The Pakistani government has announced mandatory biometric screening for all international passengers at the country’s airports, marking a significant expansion of the nation’s border security infrastructure. The Ministry of Interior has directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to implement biometric verification systems at immigration counters across major airports nationwide, building upon the country’s existing biometric identification programs.

According to the Ministry of Interior, the new system will integrate multiple biometric modalities, including facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, and iris verification. The comprehensive approach aims to prevent unauthorized travel while aligning with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards for border security. Immigration officials will be able to cross-reference passenger biometric data against national and international security databases in real-time.

The implementation comes as part of Pakistan’s broader efforts to modernize its border control systems. The FIA has been tasked with installing the necessary hardware and training personnel across major international airports including Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore. The system will be integrated with existing passport verification processes and immigration databases to create a unified security framework.

Technical specifications for the new system indicate it will employ liveness detection and anti-spoofing measures to prevent fraudulent attempts to bypass the screening. The facial recognition component will use high-resolution cameras capable of operating in various lighting conditions, while fingerprint scanners will meet FBI IAFIS image quality specifications. Immigration officers will receive specialized training on the new equipment and verification procedures.

The initiative represents a significant upgrade to Pakistan’s aviation security infrastructure, following similar implementations in neighboring countries. While the Ministry has not provided a specific timeline for complete deployment, initial testing is expected to begin at Islamabad International Airport before expanding to other locations.

Sources: Khyber News, The Nation

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November 1, 2024 – by the ID Tech Editorial Team