PM Shehbaz orders installation of smart scanners at airports to end passenger harassment

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the immediate installation of smart scanners at all international airports to facilitate passengers and eliminate unnecessary questioning and harassment by Customs officials during baggage screening.

Chairing a review meeting on the customs system in Islamabad, the prime minister ordered the immediate import of smart scanners by air and directed authorities to replace outdated baggage inspection procedures with an automated screening system in line with international practices.

He said passenger baggage should be screened through smart scanners rather than by Customs officials and instructed authorities to ensure that passengers were not subjected to unnecessary questioning.

The prime minister said passenger convenience and comfort were the government’s top priorities and that no one would be allowed to harass travellers at airports.

He also directed that personnel providing other airport services be trained according to international standards, with courtesy and respect for human dignity made essential components of their training.

During the meeting, Sharif reviewed customs operations at airports, seaports and other locations across the country, including the movement of goods, enforcement activities and measures to curb the smuggling of petroleum products.

The prime minister appreciated the new Customs enforcement system and credited Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman and his team for introducing reforms.

He directed authorities to take all possible measures to prevent revenue evasion while ensuring that tax-paying businesses were treated with respect.

Sharif said the government would adopt a zero-tolerance policy toward tax evaders.

“I am the custodian of the poor public’s money and will make every possible effort to safeguard it,” the prime minister said.

Officials briefed the meeting on progress in establishing and operationalizing Digital Enforcement Stations under the Customs Enforcement system.

The meeting was informed that the Indus Collectorate (Enforcement) had seized goods worth approximately Rs 205 million during 80 operations in the first three weeks of its establishment.

Officials said 865 personnel had been deployed across 26 key transit routes as part of the enforcement arrangements.

The meeting was also briefed on ongoing operations against the smuggling of fabric, vehicles, cigarettes, high-speed diesel, auto parts and other goods.

According to the briefing, the customs enforcement system has been consolidated into a unified, integrated nationwide structure under reforms introduced by the FBR to curb smuggling.

Officials informed the prime minister that recruitment of 280 Goods Evaluators had been completed as part of customs sector reforms, with their training scheduled for October and November 2026.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Ministers Azam Nazeer Tarar, Dr. Musadik Malik, Ahad Khan Cheema, Attaullah Tarar and Shaza Fatima Khawaja.

Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, Members of the National Assembly Usman Owaisi and Rana Iradat Sharif Khan, and relevant senior officials also attended the meeting.