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ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has taken action against over 100 officials for collusion with human smugglers since the 2023 Greece boat tragedy, the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control was informed on Tuesday. At least 209 people drowned and hundreds more were feared dead or missing after their overloaded boat capsized and sank in the open seas off Greece, in one of Europe’s deadliest shipping disasters in June 2023. Briefing the committee today, FIA Director General Dr Usman Anwar said 132 enquiries were initiated, leading to 68 major and 36 minor penalties for officials who failed to follow the standard profiling mechanism and facilitated illegal migration. He said 22,136 passengers were offloaded in 2026 after a strict assessment based on risk profiles. Deportations have also declined, with cases involving fake or forged documents dropping from 281 in 2024 to 13 so far in 2026. “In 2024, a total of 35,459 passengers were offloaded, whereas deportations neared 68,877. In 2025, 39,786 were offloaded and deportations fell to 57,560,” Dr Anwar said. “Due to strict profiling, deportation on fake documents has declined sharply.” International concerns The DG cited multiple concerns raised by international partners, including boat tragedies in the Mediterranean during smuggling attempts, illegal border crossings into the EU, and abuse of study visas in the UK and Cyprus. “Pakistan is the 3rd largest student visa-receiving country of the UK, but around 10,000 misuse visas through asylum claims,” Dr Anwar said. Eight UK universities have reportedly restricted student visa sponsorships for Bangladeshi students, while the UK has imposed restrictions on visa issuance for Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan, citing study visa abuse. High-level EU delegations had also raised concerns over illegal migration, including crossings from Belarus into Poland. “Five hundred and eighty Pakistanis have not returned from Belarus,” he said. Passengers departing for Cyprus on study visas often reroute to enter the EU, while Senegal and Mauritania routes are used to reach Spain’s Canary Islands. Other challenges included beggary in GCC countries and stranded Pakistanis in Cambodia . From 2024 to 2026, 24,922 passengers travelled to Cambodia, and 3,312 did not return to Pakistan. Many were working in scam operations or were subjected to bonded labour. “Eighty per cent of travellers were on visit or tourist visas,” he said. Similarly, 7,721 passengers did not return from Azerbaijan, with 70 per cent on visit visas. Dr Anwar revealed that attempts were made to use fake blue passports for travel to a third country, mainly originating from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. He added that 175 individuals deported last month had travelled to Malaysia and Azerbaijan on valid visas. “Screening was the only way to prevent illegal migration, and a free-for-all cannot be allowed,” said DG FIA. Policy measures The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) issued eight directives to curb human smuggling, while a committee formed after the 2023 incident recommended enhanced vigilance on travel to high-risk countries from hotspot districts. To address grievances, Standing Order No 02/2026 introduced a formal appeal and review mechanism for offloaded passengers. “Supervisory scrutiny and documented reasons are mandatory,” Dr Anwar said. Continuous oversight of offloading decisions is maintained, and actions are taken only on approved risk indicators. Citing Frontex data, the DG said illegal migration towards Europe declined by 26pc in 2025, with a 64pc drop recorded in January–February 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. Deportations due to organised begging fell by 75pc in 2025, while deportations for fake or forged documents dropped by 31pc. Overall deportations were down 16pc in 2025, he said. “The International Centre for Migration Policy Development, an EU-based organisation, has acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts against human smuggling and trafficking,” added Anwar. Tech upgrades The FIA is working on Advance Passenger Information and Passenger Name Record data for pre-risk assessment, e-gates for automated immigration control, and a mobile application for data collection called eIMMI. “The IBMS and IT sections are being restructured in line with global standards,” said DG FIA, adding that a National Command and Control Centre is planned for integration of databases at airports, seaports and land border crossings. An official from the Immigration and Passports Department (IMPAS) told the panel that 57,510 deportees are currently on the Passport Control List (PCL), commonly known as the black list. It is a confidential register maintained by IMPAS that bars designated individuals from obtaining, renewing or using a Pakistani passport due to legal, security, criminal or administrative reasons. Director Policy Shahid Riaz Gujjar said names are placed on the PCL under Rule 22 of the Passport Rules 2021 on written recommendations from Pakistani missions abroad or agencies such as Interpol, based on reports from host-country authorities. He said names placed on the PCL on the recommendations of agencies, departments and courts are removed upon receipt of specific directions from the same forums. The normal period of retention is five years, but it can be extended with justification. Under SOPs issued by the Interior Ministry on March 11, 2025, individuals deported before May 8, 2023 should not be placed on the PCL as the two-year period has already lapsed. Those deported after May 8, 2023 will remain on the list for five years. Persons deported for overstaying who later obtained a valid work visa or work permit will also not be placed on the PCL. A committee constituted by the Ministry of Interior to review PCL policy has submitted its recommendations for approval. The official further added that approvals for the issuance of passports against third and fourth lost passports were stopped “for further scrutiny” due to possible concealment of facts and misuse. Such cases are handled under Rule 15 of the Passport Rules 2021. A separate committee was formed to propose policy on pending cases and its recommendations are awaiting approval. Minister of State Tallal Chaudhry told the committee that there are restrictions on the issuance of a fresh travel document after the third or fourth lost passport. “Many individuals report the loss of a second passport within a month. The IDs are sold and misused, bringing a bad name to the country,” he said.
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