RAWALPINDI: The Saudi General Aviation Civil Aviation “GACA” security assistant team visited the Multan airport on Wednesday and looked over the airport’s terminal building.

Led by lead Inspector Muhammad Al-Ajmi, the eight-member arrived in Lahore on June 13 in the second phase of its visits to Pakistan. The Directorate of Security (Regulatory) and Lahore Airport Administration welcomed the Saudi delegation.

A spokesman for the CAA said that the Saudi security assistant team visited the Multan Airport where it was given a briefing.

The Saudi Aviation security team reviewed the Airport Security Force (ASF) security search and security arrangements of the Nji Cargo Company.

The Saudi delegation also reviewed the airport’s security perimeter and inspected the catering company’s security measures.

The ‘GACA’ team started the second phase from Lahore by visiting the Allama Iqbal International Airport on Tuesday.

The team was briefed about the airport and security measures put in place at the airport. It also reviewed the security measures taken by ASF, airlines, and ground handling agencies.

The Saudi team also assessed the effectiveness of security measures of security service providers, including cargo agents and catering, said the spokesman.

The team will also inspect Sialkot in this second phase.

In the third phase, the security arrangements at Islamabad and Peshawar airports will also be inspected by the GACA team.

It may be recalled that the Saudi delegation had completed its first phase of visit last week and returned to Saudi Arabia with some suggestions regarding security. It had then visited the Karachi Airport and inspected security arrangements by PIA, Gerry’s-dnata ground handlers and ASF.

The security delegation had also observed various arrangements made regarding catering and security of goods. In addition, the inspectors also observed the process of passenger pre-boarding, non-passenger screening, and baggage screening.

The delegation also reviewed the security of the CCTV system and restricted access areas. After completing the inspection, the guest inspectors reportedly expressed their satisfaction with the security arrangements in place.

The security delegation had also made some recommendations for the future security.

Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2023