LAHORE (special crosspondent) – Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi conducted a surprise inspection at the Allama Iqbal International Airport on Sunday to evaluate the current immigration processing speeds and the overall standard of passenger facilities. This oversight comes amid a broader national effort to enhance public service delivery, similar to recent policy dialogues regarding the State Bank of Pakistan‘s economic stability mandates.

Review of Immigration Procedures

During his visit, the minister conducted a detailed inspection of the immigration counters, engaging directly with staff to understand the operational bottlenecks hindering efficiency. Mr. Naqvi prioritized direct feedback from travelers, interviewing several passengers regarding the wait times required for their immigration clearance.

Addressing Passenger Complaints

Passengers voiced concerns to the minister, reporting that the clearance process typically requires 30 minutes, which they identified as an area requiring immediate improvement. In response, Mohsin Naqvi issued explicit directives to airport authorities to expedite the immigration process. He further mandated that all immigration counters must remain fully operational at all times to prevent unnecessary congestion and delays, reflecting the government’s commitment to improving travel infrastructure, akin to the administrative focus seen in government-level diplomatic engagements.

Enforcement and Legal Accountability

The minister also addressed reports of malpractice. After a passenger alleged that an agent had demanded unauthorized payments, Mr. Naqvi immediately escalated the complaint to the FIA Director, ordering the immediate arrest of the accused individual. The minister emphasized that while the integration of modern technology has streamlined immigration, authorities will maintain a zero-tolerance policy against those utilizing fraudulent documents. He affirmed that travelers with complete and valid documentation will face no obstacles, whereas those with incomplete paperwork will be strictly prohibited from departure.