THIS is with reference to the report “Cost of added security, testing airports’ limits” (Feb 25). I was among the unlucky ones who personally experienced the chaos at Jinnah International Airport’s inter-national departure area in Karachi. My family almost got trampled by a mob trying to run over us just to get into the departure area.

With only one of the gates being used, other than the one for the business class, I literally had to save my toddler and daughter from overpowering men trying to get into the departure lounge by fana-tically pushing their heavy metal cargo trolleys and hurting others, especially around the ankles.

Finding a cargo trolley outside was an achievement in itself, while many unused ones sat idle beyond the gates. There were reports of international flights getting late in take-off because passengers could not board the plane as per the schedule.

The plight was neither a secret nor a hidden issue. Social media was overflowing with reels and videos showing such incidents. The relevant authorities were probably the ones who were completely unaware of what was actually going on.

Dr Khwaja Ali Shahid
Karachi

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2026