Shehbaz Sharif orders baggage scanners for Pakistan’s international airports

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered the urgent import of scanners for international airports on October 10 to replace outdated baggage-screening procedures.

The instructions came during a customs review meeting in Islamabad. Once the equipment is installed, luggage should be screened using the new technology instead of manual searches, the Prime Minister’s Office said.

Sharif also directed customs officials to avoid unnecessary questioning of passengers. Staff in other airport services are to receive training aligned with international standards, including courtesy and respect for human dignity.

The meeting examined the Customs Enforcement Force, monitoring of goods movements and efforts against petroleum-product smuggling. Sharif praised the new enforcement system and Federal Board of Revenue Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial’s team while stressing the need to prevent revenue leakage.

Officials reported that the Indus Collectorate conducted 80 operations in its first three weeks, seizing goods valued at approximately Rs205 million. A deployment of 865 personnel covered 26 major transit routes. Another 280 goods valuers were recruited for training in October and November.

Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar and ministers Azam Nazeer Tarar, Musadik Malik, Ahad Khan Cheema and Attaullah Tarar attended. The instructions concern planned changes, with the announcement providing no confirmation that the scanners have already been installed.