The United States has backed a 2.4 billion dollar investment proposal by American firm Securiport to deploy advanced security systems at major airports in Pakistan, aimed at enhancing the detection of criminal and transnational threats. The support was extended by US Chargé d’Affaires to Pakistan Natalie A Baker, who encouraged Pakistani authorities to consider the proposal for implementing Advanced Passenger Information API and Passenger Name Record PNR systems. These technologies are designed to strengthen border control mechanisms by enabling real time data sharing and risk assessment capabilities.
According to official details, the proposed system would facilitate secure data transmission from airlines to government authorities while ensuring that Pakistan retains full ownership and custody of all passenger data. The solution also includes round the clock operational support and training to ensure effective implementation and long term sustainability. If accepted, the proposal could accelerate the deployment of such systems, which are already under consideration by Pakistan Airports Authority PAA as part of broader efforts to modernize airport infrastructure and security frameworks.
Securiport has offered to finance the entire upfront investment associated with deploying the system, with a plan to recover costs over a 25 year contract period through a government mandated passenger security surcharge model. As part of the proposal, the company intends to establish a local subsidiary in Pakistan and provide training to more than 1,000 Pakistani citizens in advanced security and biometric technologies. The systems would be operated by Federal Investigation Agency FIA, forming part of an integrated biometric enabled border management plan aimed at improving screening and monitoring processes at entry and exit points.
The proposal comes at a time when Pakistan’s efforts to introduce automated border control systems, including e gates equipped with biometric passport scanners and facial recognition technology, are facing scrutiny. Concerns have been raised by the Senate Standing Committee on Defence regarding transparency in procurement processes, particularly related to the use of Public Procurement Regulatory Authority PPRA direct contracting rules. International Monetary Fund has also recommended withdrawing provisions that allow direct contracting with state owned enterprises as part of governance and corruption related assessments. Earlier initiatives by PAA to invite international firms for deployment of similar systems through competitive processes in 2020 and 2024 were not pursued further. Additional concerns have been highlighted by Transparency International Pakistan, which has approached the Prime Minister’s Office over alleged procedural violations in the awarding of the e gate project, adding further complexity to the decision making process surrounding future airport security upgrades.
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