Review meeting on measures to combat human trafficking and illegal overseas travel
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) reported at a review meeting on Saturday that this year 451 people involved in human trafficking and illegal travel networks had been arrested. As a result, the number of Pakistanis traveling illegally to Europe had fallen by 47%, with similar reductions seen in illegal travel to the UK and Gulf countries.
According to Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, the relevant authorities are taking steps to combat human trafficking, such as the federal interior minister personally visiting airports to review recent relief cases. “The minister’s proactive approach in airports is highly commendable,” he said.
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Key factors discussed during the meeting that contribute to illegal migration included misuse of work, visitor and tourist visas, as well as incidents of read-off and deportation. Many of the deported passengers came from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iraq, Malaysia and Oman.
He stated that measures against illegal travel and suspicious travel documents should be managed to avoid affecting travelers with valid documents.
The Prime Minister emphasized the need for improved coordination between the Protectorate of Immigrants, the FIA and other related institutions to ensure that individuals traveling legally for overseas employment do not face disruption. In addition, he emphasized the need to use technology to streamline the immigration process.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also called for continued efforts to root out corrupt elements in the FIA as 196 officers and staff have already been dismissed for corruption
The FIA has introduced a risk assessment unit that targets passenger screening and incorporates data on deported or illegally traveling passengers. Efforts to streamline processes are also underway to implement e-gates at airports and access to Advanced Passenger Information-Passenger Name Record data will be provided to identify potentially illegal travel documents in advance.
A mobile application is being developed to track passenger data, and the FIA’s Integrated Border Management System and Information Technology sections are being restructured to improve efficiency. In addition, artificial intelligence is being used to improve surveillance and limit illegal travel.
The meeting was also attended by Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Federal Law and Justice Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Federal Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry and other senior officials.
