The new airport security equipment by Japan meets the latest international security standards set by the United States, the European Union, and International Civil Aviation Organisation
Japan has provided airport security equipment worth 1.94 billion Japanese Yens ($20 million) for three major international airports in Pakistan.
The Airport Security Equipment will be installed at three major international airports including Jinnah International Airport Karachi, Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore, and Benazir Bhutto International Airport Islamabad.
Documents related to the equipment for the airports of Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi were handed over to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) at a ceremony held at Benazir Bhutto International Airport.
Ambassador of Japan Takashi Kurai handed over the list of security equipment to CAA Director General Pakistan retired Air Marshal Asim Suleiman. Secretary Aviation Mohammad Ifran was also present.
The equipment consisted of explosive detection systems, vehicle scanners and cargo vehicle scanners.
Ambassador Kurai said: “Security enhancement is indispensable for successful socio-economic development of Pakistan and the government of Japan remains committed to supporting Pakistan in this field.”
“It is a great pleasure for me to mention that with the help of Japan, international flights departing from Pakistan will gain more credibility and passengers would also feel more comfortable and safe, while traveling to different destinations via these airports” Japanese Ambassador said.
The new equipment meets the latest international security standards set by the United States, the European Union, and International Civil Aviation Organisation. The new facilities are expected to not only reduce the risk of security-related incidents at the three airports but also to contribute to the improvement of operation of the airports.
Yasuhiro Tojo, chief representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in his statement said: “Balanced and stable regional development by supporting security enhancement is one of the priority areas of JICA rolling plan and country assistance policy for Pakistan.”
In addition to this project, Japan has been assisting Pakistan by implementing various projects in the field of security.
On July 4, the Japanese government agreed to extend a grant aid worth 200 million Japanese Yen, equivalent to around Rs205 million, under which a Japan Technology Face Recognition System will be installed at the Karachi International Airport.
The project to provide the security equipment to Karachi and Bin Qasim International Ports is now in progress, which includes container scanners. Moreover, in collaboration with UNODC Pakistan, Japan has started a four-year project to strengthen border management and illegal drug control from May this year.