ISLAMABAD: The passengers travelling abroad from Islamabad International Airport faced significant inconvenience due to a shortage of immigration staff and the closure of several immigration counters, resulting in long queues and extended waiting times.
In this regard, the mismanagement and limited staffing by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) at the airport led to congestion at immigration counters, causing frustration among passengers.
So far, many travelers were seen standing in long lines for hours to complete immigration clearance, raising concerns about the possibility of flight delays. Furthermore, Islamabad International Airport has a total of 15 immigration counters with 30 designated staff positions.
However, only six counters were operational at the time, which significantly reduced the processing capacity during peak travel hours. The shortage of FIA immigration personnel has reportedly been a longstanding issue, but the situation became more severe due to increased passenger traffic.
In this sense, the passengers complained that the limited number of active counters was insufficient to manage the flow of outbound travelers, particularly during busy international departure schedules.
In addition, the FIA is aware of the staffing challenges and has begun exploring temporary solutions to address the shortage.
The agency is considering obtaining personnel from Islamabad Police on deputation. These officers would be provided with relevant training to assist with immigration duties and help ease the burden on existing staff.
The situation also raised concerns about airport efficiency and passenger handling standards at one of the country’s busiest international airports.
Additionally, aviation experts note that effective immigration management is critical not only for passenger convenience but also for maintaining flight schedules and overall airport operations.
