ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday ordered the immediate installation of smart scanners at all international airports in the country to replace outdated baggage inspection procedures and prevent customs officials from subjecting passengers to unnecessary questioning.
While chairing a meeting to review the customs system, the prime minister directed the authorities to arrange the urgent air shipment of the scanners to Pakistan and introduce automated baggage screening in line with international practices.
“Passenger convenience and comfort are our top priority. We will not allow anyone to harass passengers,” he added.
He stressed that outdated methods of inspecting passengers’ luggage at airports must be abandoned and directed that customs checks should be carried out using smart scanners rather than relying on manual inspections by customs officials.
The prime minister also ordered international-standard training for staff responsible for providing services at airports, emphasising that courtesy and respect for human dignity must be central to service delivery.
The meeting reviewed the movement of goods and customs oversight at airports, seaports and other locations across the country. Officials also briefed the prime minister on the performance of the Customs Enforcement Force and measures to curb petroleum smuggling.
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The prime minister praised the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) chairman and his team for introducing a new customs enforcement system, while stressing that all possible measures must be taken to prevent revenue evasion.
Businesses that pay their taxes deserve respect, he said, adding that the government would maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards tax evasion.
“We are custodians of the money of the poor and will make every possible effort to protect it,” Sharif said.
Officials told the meeting that progress had been made in establishing and operationalising digital enforcement stations as part of customs reforms.
The Indus Collectorate (Enforcement) had seized goods worth approximately Rs205 million in 80 operations during its first three weeks, the meeting was informed. A total of 865 personnel had been deployed, covering 26 key transit routes.
Enforcement operations against smuggled textiles, vehicles, cigarettes, high-speed diesel, auto parts and other goods were continuing, officials said.
The meeting was also informed that recruitment of 280 goods evaluators had been completed as part of reforms in the customs sector, with their training scheduled for October and November 2026.
The FBR’s anti-smuggling reforms have also led to the consolidation of customs enforcement operations into an integrated nationwide organisation, officials added.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, federal ministers Azam Tarar, Musadik Malik, Ahad Cheema, Attaullah Tarar and Shaza Fatima, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, members of the National Assembly Usman Owaisi and Rana Iradat Sharif Khan, and senior officials attended the meeting.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026