LAHORE: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif launched on Monday the Integrated Security System at the Allama Iqbal Airport, making it the first airport in the country to have a modern security system.

Director General Airport Security Force (ASF) Maj Gen Sohail Ahmed briefed the prime minister about the system that would help ensure better security of the premises, aircraft and passengers.

The ASF chief said that the National Engineering and Scientific Commission of Pakistan (NESCP) had made the high-tech control room in four months at a cost of Rs400 million, six times less than the cost of imported security system.

The control room would remain operational round the clock to monitor any suspicious activity and movement and alert the authorities accordingly, he said, adding that the system was capable of monitoring the area in one kilometre radius in pitch darkness.

Also read: PM Nawaz inaugurates international terminal at Multan airport

He said the Security Force Control Room had been connected with the Pakistan Army and other security agencies.

There were 17 monitoring screens in the control room with 350 LED lights and 144 cameras installed on the airport premises.

The ASF director general said the system had been on test run since Feb 24, adding it was the first such system that had been manufactured indigenously.

In Asia, he said, the same system was being used in China.

He said it was a pilot project and its scope would later be extended to Islamabad, Karachi and other major airports in the country.

The prime minister was appreciative of the quality of the system.

He said expansion of the Lahore airport should be done in a meaningful manner, keeping in view the expected increase in the number of passengers and air traffic in the next 10-15 years.

He termed the infrastructure an asset for the country and said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor would impact all national sectors and generate economic activity.

Adviser to Prime Minister Shujaat Azeem also briefed Mr Sharif on measures taken for enhancement of facilities for passengers.

Published in Dawn, June 9th, 2015

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