Security and Safety Travel Tips

As a result of world events in recent years, travel policies and procedures have been altered to help ensure your safety. Before each travel make sure you know the regulations for leaving your current location and arriving at your destination.

Packing Tips

Consider leaving at home items which could be perceived as threatening or may raise suspicion at a screening checkpoint. Remember that no knives of any size will be allowed. Have prescriptions for medicines being carried in significant quantities. Check for destination country regulations on food items.

Anticipate having to open bags for inspection. Pack efficiently, placing smaller items together in a pouch

Make sure that each suitcase and carry-on bag has a name tag securely affixed to it.

Do not carry items for others. (if you must then ensure they’re provided unpacked/unwrapped)

Travel Documents

For Domestic Travel:

CNIC, Ticket Printout. If purchased on credit card ensure you carry the card or then the card owner is a part of the travelling group.

For International Travel:

Passport with valid visa, at least two photocopies of paper visas (one to be submitted at immigration), printout of ticket, NICOP (incase of dual nation travelling on other passport). Travel itinerary including hotel bookings where required.

Always keep an extra copy of travel documents, scan and save to an online email account or save to a secure online storage such as https://www.dropbox.com/ or  https://www.box.com/

 

Getting to the Airport

Before leaving home, call the airline or check the airline’s website to confirm the status of your flight. If your flight has been cancelled, contact the airline directly or your Travel Agent to reschedule your flight.

Check for availability of extended parking.

Plan to arrive for Check-in latest 1 hour prior to gates close on Domestic flight and a minimum of two hours prior for International flights.

 

Arriving At The Airport

Leave no vehicle or baggage unattended.

Check to ensure all items have been taken from the vehicle before proceeding to the departure terminal.

 

At The Security Checkpoint

Have ticket paperwork available, along with identification.

Prepare to empty pockets of coins, metals, etc.

Prepare to demonstrate the operation of electronic equipment such as laptop computers, cell phones, etc.

Be patient. Do not make jokes about security. Comply with all security instructions.

Expect increased passenger and baggage security screening. Wand checks and full-body hand searches on International Flights.

At international departure be prepared for possible checks by either or both Customs & Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF). They have independent jurisdiction and being checked by one doesn’t exempt checking by the other.

 

At The Airline Counter

Domestic:

Provide ticket and identity documents and drop checked baggage and proceed to departure lounge.

International:

Provide travel documents, weigh baggage and then proceed to separate baggage drop. Next proceed to Immigration counters before heading to departure lounge.

 

At The Departure Lounge Security Checkpoint

Have ticket paperwork available, along with identification.

Prepare to empty pockets of coins, metals, etc.

Prepare to demonstrate the operation of electronic equipment such as laptop computers, cell phones, etc.

Expect increased passenger and baggage security screening. Wand checks and full-body hand searches on International Flights.

Do not forget to get your hand carry baggage tags and boarding passes stamped by ASF.

 

At The Gate

Leave no bag unattended. Maintain a sense of awareness.

Keep boarding pass and identification available

 Pay close attention to announcements. Board the aircraft as directed by gate agents. Do not wait until the last minute to board the aircraft.
  

 

Onboard The Aircraft

Listen to and follow crew instructions at all times.

Keep hand carry especially travel documents secured at all times.

Do not lose baggage tags as you may be required to present them in the arrivals hall.

 

Upon Arrival At Your Destination

Domestic travelers must head straight to baggage carousel.

International travelers proceed to immigration counters and then baggage carousel.

Have luggage tags available for verification when retrieving luggage.

Check and report immediately to airline representative any signs of damage/missing baggage.

International passengers may have to proceed to customs.

6 thoughts on “Airport & Air Travel Security in Pakistan”
  1. Hello, we should always fully prepare during travel. During travel we keep all our required identity proof. We should beware to thief, bed people and should not disclose our identity from them. Keep help line number of local police stations or some other free protective agency of our journey place.

  2. Hey, I appreciate the good work you have done in such a white space like security for the general public.

    I have a question regarding allowed items to travel with when going abroad. I plan to take some spices (shaan, national foods) with me when I travel to Turkey since I will be based there for a few months. I am confused if these things need to be declared to custom officials in any sense and are they prohibited or allowed.

    1. You need to be sure of two facts 1st the country you depart allows you to carry these items 2nd the country you are heading to allows them to be brought in. Yes from Pakistan you can carry but ensure they are in original pockets and not tampered with. Additionally expect a thorough check by customs and the drug squad at the pak airports. This process can take upto 45 mins to complete so plan to arrive welk in time ti avoid missing uour flight. I’ve not heard of any restrictions on carrying them to Turkey however you must check with them. Google the question and you’ll find some responses on the matter. TRIP ADVISOR is a good site for such tips as its frim travellers experiences. But remember even on arrival uou may be subjected to thorough checks. Drugs are often smuggled by packing in Spice boxes therefore the added concerns and checks. Safe travels

  3. Hi, Norbert I am a regular reader of your blog. your articles are really good, especially this one is really helpful mainly for the first time travelers like myself. I am going to UAE on tourist visa and it will be my first time to go out side the country so i am a bit nervous.Especially the thought of “what kind of questions they might ask at airport” makes me feel uncomfortable.Could you please give an idea of questions asked at Karachi airport at the time of departure and the questions at Dubai airport and how to answer them? it would be a great favour. Thanks!

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