ISLAMABAD, Sept 12: Minister of State for Overseas Pakistanis Senator Tariq Azeem paid a surprise visit to the Islamabad airport for inspecting the facilities being provided by the OPF to the expatriates at the departure and arrival lounges.

The minister observed the difficulties faced by the international passengers during departure and arrival of flights late Saturday night and early Sunday morning. Although the employees of the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) were present at the airport, they were not providing any help to the expatriates when the minister visited the airport.

Mr Azeem directed the OPF officials to improve the facilities so that the expatriates could be provided help. He was informed that only those overseas Pakistanis who possessed gold and silver cards were provided help from the OPF counter.

Robin Humphrix, a representative of the British High Commissioner, who was also on a surprise checking at the airport, told the minister that there had been a reasonable improvement in checking of human trafficking.

He said the standard of immigration control had improved and that UK was delighted on the success. He said there had been close cooperation between Pakistani and UK authorities to check the documents at the airport to control human trafficking.

He said during the last couple of months, there had been major problem of human trafficking from Islamabad airport but with effective measures now it had been controlled.

He also appreciated the computerized checking system at airports and hoped the cooperation between the UK and Pakistan would further improve the situation. Assistant Director FIA Ijaz Ahmed Bajwa informed the minister that since August 1, there was neither any report of fake travel documents nor deportation.

He said the FIA on Saturday arrested seven persons for trying to board a UK flight on fake documents. Assistant Director Protractor of Emigrants Masood Ahmed Changwani said officials of his department did not have any office or even a counter at the departure lounge. -APP