Misconceptions About FIA Immigration Performance Addressed

Islamabad: (Web Desk) – Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Raja Riffat Mukhtar, visited Islamabad International Airport to review immigration operations and address misconceptions circulating on social media regarding the agency’s performance.

During the visit, the DG FIA conducted a detailed assessment of immigration procedures and was briefed on operational challenges. According to the FIA, Islamabad International Airport handles an average of 94 international flights daily, with immigration clearance for more than 10,000 international passengers every day.

FIA Arrests Six Human Smugglers Involved in Migrant Smuggling & Visa Fraud

The agency clarified that temporary congestion occurs during peak hours due to the simultaneous arrival of multiple flights. On January 13 alone, FIA immigration staff cleared 2,400 passengers within a single hour. Overall, the average clearance rate stands at around four passengers per minute.
FIA immigration at Islamabad Airport operates in three shifts, with 15 counters functional for departures and 13 for arrivals. The spokesperson noted that adverse weather conditions and technical faults causing flight delays often contribute to crowding at immigration halls.

To further improve passenger facilitation, close coordination between the FIA and the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) is ongoing. The FIA has decided to install a queue management system and has agreed on the phased implementation of e-gates. Additionally, an increase in immigration staff and the launch of a pre-departure app have been announced.

For better guidance and crowd control, dedicated queue management staff will also be deployed. The FIA reiterated its commitment to enhancing efficiency and ensuring smooth immigration clearance for passengers.