By Adnan Rafique
ISLAMABAD:Taking notice of numerous complaints regarding Islamabad International Airport, Federal Ombudsman Ejaz Ahmed Qureshi dispatched an inspection team headed by Advisor Major General (R) Haroon Sikandar Pasha.
The team included the Commissioner for Overseas Pakistanis Complaints, Dr. Inam-ul-Haq Javed, and Consultant Pervaiz Haleem Rajput, said in Press Release issued here on Tuesday.
The inspection team visited various sections of the airport, including the national and international lounges, luggage area, the “One-Window Facilitation Desk” established by the Federal Ombudsman, immigration counters, and other departments to assess the situation and address public grievances.
The inspection team also interacted with passengers to hear their grievances directly and issued on-the-spot directives to airport management for their redressal. The team reviewed implementation on recommendations made by previously dispatched inspection teams and noted improvements in several areas.
The team further directed that the number of facilitation counters be increased according to flight volume and that separate counters be established for senior citizens. The authorities informed the team that additional counters had already been setup. The team also instructed the establishment of dedicated counters for wheelchair users, diplomats, and parliamentarians.
During the visit to the “One-Window Facilitation Desk” — established for the convenience of overseas Pakistanis — the team reviewed complaint registers and obtained information from representatives of 12 federal agencies present at the desk regarding the nature of complaints received.
The team instructed local heads of all relevant agencies to ensure maximum facilitation for passengers, particularly overseas Pakistanis.
The preliminary report of the visit has been submitted to the Federal Ombudsman.
The Federal Ombudsman has issued directives to PCAA and the Airport Manager to ensure biometric attendance of representatives of all departments posted at the “One-Window Facilitation Desks” and assigned OPF (Overseas Pakistanis Foundation) the responsibility to monitor compliance.
