By Zahid Shah

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan’s intensified crackdown on human smuggling and illegal travel has led to a 47% decline in illegal migration to Europe, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif was told on Saturday during a high-level review meeting in Lahore.

Chairing the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the efforts of law enforcement and immigration authorities in curbing human smuggling networks and unlawful overseas travel.

He noted that following recent complaints regarding the off-loading of passengers at airports, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi personally visited airports to assess the situation, a step the prime minister described as commendable.

The prime minister directed authorities to ensure that while strict action is taken against individuals traveling illegally or using suspicious documents, passengers holding valid travel papers must not face inconvenience.

He also called for further improvement in the performance of the Protectorate of Emigrants and stronger coordination among the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and other relevant institutions to facilitate Pakistanis traveling abroad legally for employment.

During the briefing, officials informed the meeting that the FIA arrested 451 individuals this year involved in human smuggling and illegal travel businesses. As a result of these measures, illegal attempts to travel to Europe fell by 47%, while similar declines were recorded in cases involving the United Kingdom and Gulf countries.

Authorities identified the misuse of work, visit, and tourist visas as key drivers of illegal migration to Europe, often resulting in off-loading and deportations. Most deported passengers were returned from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Malaysia, and Oman, the meeting was told.

The briefing further highlighted that a Risk Assessment Unit is operational within the FIA, enabling targeted passenger screening and systematic data collection of deported and illegal travelers. Officials emphasized a zero-tolerance policy on corruption, revealing that 196 FIA officers and personnel have been dismissed after corruption charges were proven.

The meeting was also informed that work is underway to activate e-gates at airports, while access to API-PNR data will allow early detection of suspicious travel documents. In addition, a mobile application is being developed for passenger data management, the FIA’s IBMS and IT sections are being restructured, and artificial intelligence is being deployed to further prevent illegal travel.