Major Pakistani Airports Get Full-Body Scanners

Federal Minister for National Health Services, Aamer Mehmood Kiani, has said that full-body scanners have become operational at Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, and Karachi airports.

He told that the government will also install these scanners across all points of entry to the country. The minister announced this while visiting the Islamabad International Airport to check the arrangements ensured by the airport health authorities aiming to prevent cross-border transmission of diseases.

The purpose of the full-body scanners is to check for any contraband item or currency possibly hidden under the clothes of a suspected passenger. This will also help prevent money laundering attempts.

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The scanner will check the said items attached to the body of a suspect. Furthermore, only suspected individuals will have to pass through the machine.

These body scanners are different from x-ray machines and are not as harmful. The equipment was acquired by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) whereas the Airport Security Force (ASF) will operate it.

Kiani also said that the Ministry of National Health Services has allocated funds to improve the infrastructure and ensure uniformity in the health departments of all international borders.

Along with full-body scanners, quarantine and isolation facilities will also be set up at all airports. He divulged that the country has recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China to control the cross-border epidemic ailments.

The minister ordered the authorities to take measures to improve health security on all international borders and ensure the establishment of health facilities at land crossing and ports.

He also announced that a website aimed at spreading awareness among the passengers about health-related issues in international travel is in the offing.