- Premier Shehbaz stresses lawful travel facilitation, warning of Zero tolerance for human trafficking
- Appreciates efforts of relevant institutions in curbing human trafficking, commending Interior Minister for personally visiting airports to review the situation
- 451 traffickers arrested this year while illegal travel to Europe drops by 47pc: briefing
LAHORE: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday underscored the urgent need for the full utilization of modern technology to strengthen Pakistan’s immigration and border management system, as he chaired a high-level review meeting on efforts to eradicate human trafficking and curb illegal travel abroad.
Emphasizing transparency, efficiency and zero tolerance for corruption, the prime minister directed all relevant institutions to ensure that lawful travelers are facilitated while those involved in illegal migration are dealt with strictly.
وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف کی زیر صدارت انسانی اسمگلنگ کے خاتمے اور غیر قانونی طور پر بیرون ممالک سفر کے خلاف اقدامات پر اجلاس
وزیراعظم کی پروٹیکٹریٹ آف ایمیگرنٹس کی کارکردگی مزید بہتر بنانے اور وفاقی تحقیقاتی ادارے اور دیگر متعلقہ اداروں سے ہم آہنگی مزید بہتر بنانے کی ہدایت تاکہ… pic.twitter.com/Qvkz3xvMbQ
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) December 20, 2025
The prime minister appreciated the efforts of relevant institutions in curbing human trafficking.
Referring to recent reports and complaints regarding the off-loading of passengers traveling abroad, he commended Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi for personally visiting airports to review the situation.
He directed that while taking action against individuals traveling abroad illegally or holding dubious travel documents, special care must be ensured so that passengers with valid travel documents are not inconvenienced.
The prime minister also instructed that the performance of the Protectorate of Emigrants be further improved and coordination with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and other relevant institutions be strengthened to facilitate those traveling abroad legally for employment.
وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف کی زیر صدارت انسانی اسمگلنگ کے خاتمے اور غیر قانونی طور پر بیرون ممالک سفر کے خلاف اقدامات پر اجلاس
اجلاس کو بیرون ملک غیر قانونی سفر کرنے والوں کے خلاف کارروائیوں اور اقدامات پر بریفنگ میں بتایا گیا کہ یورپ کے ممالک میں غیر قانونی ہجرت، ورک ویزا، وزٹ و… pic.twitter.com/b5lrBrPhwM
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) December 20, 2025
The prime minister further directed strict action against corrupt elements, emphasizing that transparency and efficiency in the immigration system are critical.
During the meeting, participants were briefed on actions taken against illegal travel abroad. It was informed that the FIA had arrested 451 individuals involved in human trafficking and illegal travel this year. Due to these efforts, the number of Pakistanis traveling illegally to Europe had declined by 47 per cent, while a reduction had also been recorded in cases of travel on illegal documents to the United Kingdom and Gulf countries.
The briefing noted that illegal migration, misuse of work, visit and tourist visas, off-loading and deportation remain major challenges in European countries. Most deportations involved passengers returning from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Malaysia and Oman.
The meeting was further informed that a Risk Assessment Unit is operational within the FIA, enabling targeted screening of passengers and systematic recording of data related to deported and illegal travelers. It was also highlighted that there is zero tolerance for corruption in the FIA, Anti-Narcotics Force and other relevant institutions, and that 196 FIA officers and personnel had been dismissed after corruption was proven against them.
Participants were told that work is underway to activate the e-gate system at airports. Access to API-PNR data will be enabled to help identify potentially illegal travel documents in advance. In addition, a mobile phone application is being developed for passenger data, the FIA’s IBMS and IT sections are being restructured, and artificial intelligence is being utilized to prevent illegal travel.
The meeting was attended by Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazir Tarar, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, and senior government officials.
