The growing trend of illegal immigration and human
trafficking from Pakistan has once again forced law enforcement agencies to
take strict measures. Presenting the details of passengers offloaded at
airports during the year 2025 in the meeting of the National Assembly Standing
Committee on Interior, the Director General Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)
revealed that a total of 39,786 people were stopped from traveling abroad last
year on various grounds.
Briefing the committee, the DG FIA said that the largest
number were those passengers whose travel documents were incomplete or did not
meet the required conditions. 20,408 such people were stopped at the airports
themselves. In addition, 12,673 passengers were offloaded due to suspicious
travel patterns, unusual movements and travel to high-risk countries.
According to the data, 3,450 people were stopped from
traveling based on stop lists, Interpol records or other security concerns,
while 505 passengers had taken travel routes that were not consistent with
their travel purpose, for which they were offloaded.
The briefing was informed that 281 people were stopped on
charges of using fake documents, while unusual activities were identified in
the travel records of 176 passengers. In another 145 cases, verification of
visas, protectors and other travel documents was considered necessary, due to
which they were not allowed to depart.
According to the authorities, strict monitoring is also
being carried out to prevent illegal movement of minors and youth. During the
year 2025, 258 minor passengers were offloaded due to possible travel concerns
and suspicious circumstances. Similarly, 24 people were stopped on suspicion
that they intended to go abroad on a visit visa and get a job.
The DG FIA told the committee that the European Union, and
especially Italy, have expressed serious concerns over the increase in illegal
immigration from Pakistan. He said that incidents of illegal entry into Poland
via Belarus have also increased the concerns of European countries.
Another important revelation during the briefing was that
580 Pakistani citizens did not return home after going to Belarus. Similarly,
incidents of alleged misuse of visas by about 10,000 Pakistani citizens who
obtained student visas for the UK were also reported, due to which several
countries have started reviewing their visa policies for Pakistani citizens.
According to the DG FIA, the surveillance system has been
further tightened in view of the increasing trends of illegal immigration,
human trafficking and visa fraud. The agency is continuing to take action
against such elements through modern technology, intelligence sharing and
international cooperation who are involved in sending Pakistani citizens abroad
through illegal channels.
According to experts, the increasing incidence of illegal
immigration not only affects Pakistan's international reputation but can also
create difficulties for thousands of Pakistanis seeking education, employment
and business opportunities abroad legally. This is why authorities are now
calling for tough and effective measures, considering the issue as a national
challenge.
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