KARACHI:

The Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PHMA) has called for the establishment of fast-track immigration counters at airports for exporters, saying local exporters and foreign business visitors are facing prolonged delays in the name of security checks.

PHMA Chairman Faisal Arshad Sheikh said exporters and the business community were encountering serious difficulties due to disorder, poor management and lengthy immigration delays at Karachi airport, adding that numerous complaints had been received.

He said mismanagement and lack of discipline were causing unnecessary delays for businesspersons and exporters travelling abroad and returning home during international journeys.

Foreign business partners visiting Pakistan to attend meetings and finalise commercial matters are also facing long delays and inconvenience at Karachi airport due to the absence of dedicated fast-track immigration counters and staff.

He said the lack of separate counters at entry and exit points meant all passengers, including exporters and taxpayers, were forced to stand in long queues and wait for hours under the pretext of security checks.

He said prolonged disorder over the past several months had created a negative international impression, with Karachi airport consistently presenting a picture of mismanagement.

Referring to the prime minister’s recent announcement to issue diplomatic passports to leading exporters and taxpayers, he said the treatment meted out to exporters at airports had instead become a source of disappointment and embarrassment.