US plan to install $2.4 billion modern
airport biometric system at Pakistani airports scrutinized
A $2.4 billion proposal backed by
the United States to introduce biometric border control systems at airports
across Pakistan is facing increasing scrutiny over procurement practices and
transparency concerns.
The plan, put forward by Securiport,
involves deploying biometric e-gates, identity verification tools and advanced
passenger screening systems nationwide. The initiative has received support
from the United States government, with U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker
urging Pakistani authorities to consider the offer.
According to official
correspondence, the proposal includes the installation of Advanced Passenger
Information (API) and Passenger Name Record (PNR) systems, technologies widely
used to identify high-risk travellers and detect cross-border threats. These
systems would enable real-time sharing of passenger data between airlines and
government agencies, while maintaining full data ownership within Pakistan.
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Gates to be installed at all Pakistani airports
Securiport has presented its
solution as a turnkey model, offering end-to-end deployment and operational
support. The company stated its systems could help authorities “detect and
interdict criminal and transnational threats in real time,” while ensuring
continuous technical assistance.
Under the proposal, Securiport would
invest $2.4 billion over a 25-year period, covering upfront costs for
infrastructure, biometric e-gates and screening systems. The company plans to
recover its investment through a government-imposed passenger security
surcharge and establish a local subsidiary to train more than 1,000 Pakistani
personnel.
The systems would be operated by
Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency as part of an integrated border
management framework.
The proposal comes as Pakistan seeks
to modernize its airport infrastructure. The Pakistan Airports Authority is
already pursuing its own e-gate initiative using biometric passport scanners
and facial recognition technology to reduce immigration processing times to
under 45 seconds. These systems are expected to integrate with exit control
lists and global databases, including those of Interpol.
However, the domestic e-gate project
has also come under scrutiny. Lawmakers in the Senate Standing Committee on
Defence have raised questions about compliance with procurement regulations set
by the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority. Meanwhile, Transparency
International Pakistan has reportedly contacted the Prime Minister’s Office
regarding alleged violations in the contracting process.
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introduces chip-based biometric passports
Officials have yet to clarify
whether Pakistan will proceed with Securiport’s proposal. Neither the U.S.
Embassy in Islamabad nor Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has publicly responded
to queries on the matter.
The issue also intersects with
broader governance reforms. The International Monetary Fund has recommended
that Pakistan revise procurement rules, including provisions allowing direct
contracting with state-owned enterprises, as part of ongoing anti-corruption
measures.
Source: https://www.biometricupdate.com/