KARACHI, Nov 30: The Karachi Port Trust is introducing a state-of-the-art security system at entry and exist points of the port. In collaboration with a private company , Access Control System (ACS) comprising smart card readers, biometrics, turnstiles and cameras is being installed at the gates of the port.

KPT Chairman Vice-Admiral Ahmad Hayat on Tuesday inaugurated the Central Pass Issuing Office (CPIO) at the Import Terminal where the office is being built under a public-private partnership.

The CPIO will have fully-computerized smart cards development office, close loop computerized network with real time digital photograph facility to ensure security and secrecy. Applications on this regard are already being floated on the KPT website to facilitate port-users to generate required data electronically.

The ACS will also maintain large database for verification and record purposes. It will help thwart illegal entries on the port. The CPIO, equipped with a modern and state-of-the-art technology, will ensure security in its true perspective on the port and benefit the port in terms of availability of master database with regard to personnel and vehicles for tracking and record purposes. Similarly, smart cards will help genuine port-users from wasting time at the entry and exit gates of the port.

In the first phase these facilities will start functioning at East Wharf gates for which target has been set for December 15, 2004, whereas all other gates will have similar security system by January 15, 2005.

Previously, the CPIO was functioning manually at the KPT head office and rudimentary visual checks were being implemented on the entry and exit gates, thus prone to security breaches. On an average 30,000 people and 4,000 trucks made daily entries in the port, hence the security becomes important for the port.