Security concerns? One-person restriction, parking shortage at airport pesters people

People complain about rude behaviour of security staff.

ISLAMABAD: People accompanying passengers to the airport or going to receive arrivals have to face numerous annoyances due to security checks.

Security staffers at the main entrance of Benazir Bhutto International Airport make the general public wait unnecessarily and often refuse to allow them to enter, citing security concerns.

People going to the airport in private vehicles or taxis also have to face problems in finding space to park their vehicles with most space occupied by ‘special taxis’, which get right of entry with the connivance of the contractor.

“After going through different level of screening, I purchased a ticket only to find no space to park my vehicle, as most spaces are occupied by taxis,” said Sajid Ali, who was at the airport to receive a passenger.

Interestingly, passengers in private cabs are not allowed to enter the airport, but some taxi drivers make it through as they have special permits from the contractor.

“We are not allowed to enter the airport despite having all required documents. I have no option but to park my vehicle on a wrong side as my family is carrying lot of luggage, said Sheheryar, a resident of Gujrat, who was at the airport to receive relatives coming from the UK.

People also complained about the rude behavior of security staff at the airport.

When contacted, Civil Aviation Authority Public Relations Joint Director Fareeha Shah said, “There is no solution to the lack of parking space but we are trying to facilitate people to the maximum.”

She said that due to security concerns, a one-person restriction has been imposed at the airport.

She said the “one passenger, one facilitator policy” has been introduced to limit crowding at the airport. The official regretted the inconvenience to the people with a promise to address the situation.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 15^th, 2016.