Compromised airport security

Airport attacks have become increasingly popular across world in past decade and Pakistan has experienced its share

With a global increase in terrorism threat levels, particularly when it comes to air travel, an airport would be one of the last places one would want compromised security. It is, hence, perturbing to learn that the country’s Airport Security Force (ASF) is experiencing a shortage of a grand 13,559 officials across Pakistan’s 42 airports. Albeit, many of our airports are small, for example, Rahim Yar Khan. However, the threat of terrorism is as imminent as ever, as was demonstrated to us in the series of explosions across the country in a span of two weeks back in February. While other governments are becoming wiser and implementing more sophisticated measures to thwart terror attacks, such as the new electronic device ban enacted by the US government, it is a pity Pakistan does not even have the manpower it needs to safeguard travellers.

Airport attacks have become increasingly popular across the world in the past decade and Pakistan has experienced its share. In September 1986, militants managed to hijack Pan Am Flight 73 in Karachi, crossing the security checkpoint dressed as airport staff, and killing 43 people. In more recent times, on December 15, 2012, the Bacha Khan International Airport in Peshawar was attacked. In June 2014, Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport saw the loss of 36 lives in a major breach of security. In August 2015, Jiwani Airport in Balochistan was attacked with two people killed. It is obligatory upon the ASF and the government to immediately equip all airports with the manpower required to keep airport operations running smoothly and passengers safe. Vacant vows by the CAA to fulfil the shortage “soon” cannot be accepted without set deadlines. The peak summer travelling season will soon be upon us, allowing just about two months for the ASF to acquire more staff. While there are numerous ways in which our security apparatus has failed, the factors that can be controlled, such as equipping airports with enough security personnel, should be paid heed to urgently.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 26^th, 2017.

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