Lahore (Bureau Report):
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has praised the efforts of relevant agencies to curb human trafficking and illegal overseas travel while emphasizing that legitimate travelers with valid documents should not be affected by enforcement actions.
According to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office on Saturday, the Prime Minister chaired a review meeting on measures to eliminate human trafficking and prevent illegal overseas travel. Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Aehd Khan Cheema, Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry, and senior officials attended the meeting.
PM Shehbaz Sharif lauded the proactive efforts of authorities, noting that the Interior Minister personally reviewed situations at airports to prevent inconvenience to legitimate passengers. He instructed agencies to ensure that enforcement against illegal travelers and suspicious documents does not adversely affect passengers holding valid travel papers.
The Prime Minister also directed improvements in the performance of the Protectorate of Emigrants and closer coordination with the FIA and other relevant agencies to facilitate legal overseas employment. He stressed the critical role of technology in strengthening immigration systems.
During the briefing, officials reported that 451 individuals involved in human trafficking and illegal overseas travel have been arrested this year, leading to a 47% reduction in illegal travel from Pakistan to Europe. A decline was also noted in unauthorized travel to the UK and Gulf countries. Most deportations occurred from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iraq, Malaysia, and Oman.
The meeting highlighted that FIA’s Risk Assessment Unit is conducting targeted passenger screenings and maintaining a database of those involved in illegal travel. Agencies, including the FIA and Anti-Narcotics Force, maintain a zero-tolerance policy for corruption; 196 officials were dismissed for corrupt practices.
Work is underway to enhance e-gates at airports, enable API-PNR data access, develop a mobile application for passenger data, restructure FIA IT and IBMS sections, and employ artificial intelligence to prevent illegal travel effectively.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding Pakistanis abroad while cracking down on human trafficking and illegal migration.