ISLAMABAD: Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Director General Dr Usman Anwar on Tuesday informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control that as many as 10,000 Pakistani students misused their UK study visas by claiming asylum in Britain. He highlighted that Pakistan is the third largest recipient of student visas from the United Kingdom.
Details of Visa Abuse
Dr Anwar stated that over the last couple of years, 10,000 Pakistanis traveled to the UK on study visas and subsequently applied for asylum. He noted that the UK has banned visas for Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan due to similar abuses. He added that eight UK universities have already banned student visas for Bangladesh. He also pointed out that Cyprus is another country whose study visa is being misused by Pakistanis to reroute and enter the European Union.
Offloading and Illegal Migration Concerns
The FIA chief's remarks came amid public outcry over offloading of outbound passengers with valid travel documents. He explained that high-level EU delegations raised concerns about illegal migration following multiple boat tragedies in the Mediterranean Sea, resulting in the loss of several Pakistani lives. Pakistanis are using various international routes for illegal migration, traveling on valid documents, which prompts FIA to offload them after identifying credible risk indicators. He emphasized that screening is the only way to prevent illegal migration.
Routes and Statistics
Dr Anwar mentioned that Pakistanis are using routes via Malawi and Swaziland to enter South Africa, but this has been reduced to zero. Illegal border crossing from Belarus to Poland has caused serious concerns for the EU, with 580 Pakistanis not returning from Belarus. Routes through Senegal and Mauritania are being used to reach Spain's Canary Islands.
Action Against Immigration Officials
Admitting that FIA officials were involved in facilitating irregular migration, Dr Anwar said that punishments have been awarded to over 100 officials for collusion with human smugglers since the Greece boat tragedy of 2023. A total of 132 inquiries were initiated, leading to 68 major and 36 minor penalties for officials who failed to follow standard profiling mechanisms.
Offloading and Deportation Numbers
He provided statistics: 22,136 passengers were offloaded in 2026 after strict risk assessment. In 2024, 35,459 passengers were offloaded, and deportations reached 68,877. In 2025, 39,786 were offloaded, and deportations fell to 57,560. Challenges include beggary in GCC countries and stranded Pakistanis in Cambodia. From 2024 to 2026, 24,922 passengers traveled to Cambodia, with 3,312 not returning; many worked in scamming companies or faced bonded labor. 80% of travelers were on visit or tourist visas. Similarly, 7,721 passengers did not return from Azerbaijan, with 70% on visit visas.
Blue Passport Misuse
Dr Anwar told lawmakers that attempts were made to use fake blue passports (official Pakistani passports) to travel to third countries, mainly from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar. MNA Abdul Qadir Patel noted that UAE authorities were denying visa-free entry to parliamentarians holding blue passports with specific sectarian backgrounds. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry assured that he would respond after consulting the Foreign Office.
Offloading Concerns and Appeal Mechanism
MNA Choudhary Naseer Ahmed Abbas claimed that FIA offloaded passengers with European resident cards, a serious misuse of authority. DG FIA responded that offloading is a preventive measure and a double-edged sword. To address grievances, a formal appeal and review mechanism has been formed. FIA will soon start providing written reasons for offloading to reduce misuse of authority.
Passport Control List
An official from the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports informed the panel that 57,510 deportees are currently on the Passport Control List (PCL), or black list. Director Policy Shahid Riaz said names are placed on the PCL under Passport Rules 2021 based on written recommendations from Pakistan missions abroad or agencies like Interpol. The normal retention period is five years but can be extended with justification. Names are removed on recommendations of relevant agencies, departments, or courts.
