More immigration counters at Peshawar airport ordered

[Abbas Ali]

PESHAWAR (May 07 2006): Federal Interior Minister, Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao has directed the FIA (Federal Investigation Agency) authorities to set up two more immigration counters each at arrival and departure terminals of Peshawar airport.

These directives were issued by him at a meeting held during his visit to Peshawar airport to inspect working of FIA immigration. Aftab Sherpao was accompanied by Federal Secretary Interior, Syed Kamal Shah, Director General FIA, Tariq Pervez, Naveed Malik, Director FIA Peshawar and other officials.

Briefing the newsmen about the decisions taken in the meeting, federal interior minister said these four counters would be set up at the earliest and start working within 10 days. He said decision to enhance immigration counters has been taken to facilitate the passengers who face problems at the airport due to overcrowding.

The interior minister also directed for holding talks with authorities of CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) to review the flight schedule keeping in view the space problem at the airport. He said passengers are faced with problem of overcrowding specially on Thursday and Monday due to heavy schedule of flights.

He disclosed that the Airport Manager, Zahoor Ali Shah briefed the meeting about the expansion plan of Peshawar airport. The PC-1, he continued, of the expansion plan is prepared and would be included in the next ADP.

According to expansion programme, Sherpao said, initially the available space at the Peshawar airport would be utilised to the maximum. Later, he continued, land would be purchased in the vicinity of the airport to cope with space problem.

Earlier, interior minister visited different sections of Peshawar airport and inspected working of FIA immigration staff. He posed question to passengers standing in the queue for clearance of their passports. He also directed for making sitting arrangements for the passengers at the immigration cells.

Source: Business Recorder