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ISLAMABAD: In a briefing that laid bare the scale of illegal migration and organized begging syndicates, the Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resources Development that over 51,000 passengers were offloaded from various Pakistani airports this year.
The revelations highlight a rigorous crackdown by authorities to protect the integrity of the Pakistani passport and curb the growing trend of individuals traveling abroad under the guise of pilgrimage or tourism for illegal purposes.
The Global Deportation Crisis
The DG FIA disclosed startling figures regarding the deportation of Pakistani nationals. According to the report:
- Saudi Arabia: Deported 24,000 Pakistanis this year specifically for involvement in organized begging. Historically, the Kingdom has sent back a total of 56,000 Pakistanis for the same reason.
- UAE (Dubai): Deported 6,000 individuals.
- Azerbaijan: Sent back 2,500 Pakistani nationals.
The committee was informed that many individuals attempting to reach Europe were caught at local airports while traveling on Umrah visas. Investigations revealed they possessed travel documents for European destinations, leading to their immediate offloading based on evidence of planned illegal entry.
Disappearing “Tourists” and Bizarre Scams
The briefing also touched upon the alarming rate of “missing” travelers in Southeast Asia. This year:
- Cambodia: Out of 24,000 Pakistanis who traveled there, 12,000 have not returned.
- Myanmar (Burma): Out of 4,000 who traveled on tourist visas, 2,500 remain unaccounted for.
In a bizarre instance of human smuggling, the DG FIA shared details of a fake football club that sent a “team” to Japan. The group included a person with a physical disability (a limp) who was posing as an athlete. Further investigation revealed that the same fraudulent club had successfully sent individuals to Japan in 2022.
Improvements in Passport Ranking
Despite these challenges, the FIA head noted that strict enforcement has yielded positive results.
- Illegal Migration Drop: The number of Pakistanis attempting to enter Europe illegally fell from 8,000 last year to 4,000 this year.
- Global Ranking: The Pakistani passport has improved its global standing, moving from 118th to 92nd.
- Visa-Free Access: Following these security improvements, Dubai and Germany have granted visa-free entry to Pakistani official passport holders.
Modernization and Future Steps
To streamline travel, the FIA will launch the “Emi-App” in mid-January. This application will allow travelers to obtain online immigration clearance 24 hours before departure, reducing congestion at airports.
Addressing administrative hurdles, the DG FIA highlighted a staff shortage at Islamabad Airport, noting that 30 female officers from the Islamabad Police are being inducted to assist with immigration counters.
The Standing Committee appreciated the FIA’s efforts but emphasized the need for a sustained crackdown on the syndicates that exploit the poor and tarnish the country’s international image.
