Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has issued strict directives to authorities to improve the Lahore airport immigration process following a surprise visit to the facility. The minister, who also addressed an event in Karachi on April 14, 2026, emphasized that passengers must not be subjected to unnecessary delays during their transit through the country’s major aviation hubs.

Fixing the Lahore airport immigration process

During his inspection, Naqvi personally inquired with airport staff and passengers regarding the recurring issues that contribute to long queues. He observed that staffing gaps and operational inefficiencies were the primary drivers of the congestion that travelers have been reporting for months. To address this, he has ordered that all immigration counters must remain fully operational during peak flight hours to ensure a smoother flow of traffic.

  • All immigration desks must be manned during rush periods.
  • Increased coordination between FIA and airport management.
  • Direct monitoring of passenger feedback to identify bottlenecks.

Why passenger experience matters

The frustration caused by slow processing times at Allama Iqbal International Airport has been a frequent complaint for both overseas Pakistanis and business travelers. By directing officials to keep all immigration counters open, the government aims to reduce the time spent in lines, which often stretches for over an hour during late-night or early-morning flight clusters. The minister’s intervention suggests a shift toward more hands-on monitoring of frontline services at federal-run facilities.

What you should do

If you are traveling through Lahore, ensure your travel documents are fully compliant with current FIA guidelines to avoid secondary checks that further slow down the line. You can monitor airport service updates through the official Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) website or the airport’s official social media channels. If you face an unreasonable delay, you are encouraged to record the time and report it to the airport duty officer on-site.

What to watch next

The coming weeks will serve as a test for the FIA’s capacity to maintain these staffing levels consistently. Travelers should watch for whether these directives lead to a permanent increase in personnel or if the service levels drop once the ministerial oversight shifts elsewhere. The government is expected to review the effectiveness of these measures by late April 2026 to see if similar protocols are needed at airports in Karachi and Islamabad.