Canadian Team certifies aviation security protocols at Karachi Airport
A two-member team from Canada has certified the aviation security protocols
at Karachi's Jinnah International Airport, the largest airport in Pakistan,
according to the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA).
Inspectors Barbara Durette and Abdel Tahir from Transport Canada, the
Canadian government agency responsible for transportation policies and
services, conducted their assessment under the oversight of Pakistan’s Aviation
Security Director, Air Commodore (retired) Shahid Qadir. The inspection began
earlier this week.
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Canada team inspects aviation security at Karachi Airport
The Canadian team evaluated various aspects of airport security, including
passenger and baggage screening, perimeter protection, cargo and catering
security, and protocols for direct flights to Canada. They also assessed
security measures for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights to Toronto,
focusing on access control, aircraft protection, and security searches.
"The Canadian team expressed their appreciation to the PCAA for their
hospitality and praised the airport's security protocols for meeting
international standards and best practices," the PCAA said in a statement.
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This marks the fifth international evaluation of Pakistan’s aviation
security system in recent months. The PCAA has previously passed all
inspections, including a notable assessment by the United Arab Emirates General
Civil Aviation Authority (UAE-GCAA) at Islamabad and Karachi airports,
concluded on July 5.
Pakistan’s aviation protocols have been under intense scrutiny since 2020,
following a scandal involving approximately 262 fake pilot licenses out of 860
active pilots. This scandal led to the grounding of around 150 pilots from
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and other carriers. The incident followed
the tragic crash of PIA flight 8303 in Karachi, resulting in PIA's suspension
from the European Union (EU) and calls for regulatory reforms to enhance safety
standards and transparency.
Source: Arab News