ISLAMABAD - Amid public outcry over the offloading of passengers holding valid travel documents, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Director General Dr. Usman Anwar on Monday defended the practice, stating that lawful offloading has reduced illegal migration from Pakistan to the European Union by 64% in early 2026. Speaking to a select group of journalists, the FIA chief described offloading as a "preventive and protective" measure applied only when credible risk indicators are present.
Official Data on Offloading
According to official data, the FIA offloaded approximately 40,000 passengers in 2025 to prevent irregular migration and human smuggling from Pakistan to various destinations, especially Europe. In the past year, the premier immigration agency offloaded 39,786 outbound passengers due to factors such as lack of required documentation, suspicious profiles and travel patterns, presence on stop lists or Interpol records, incorrect travel routes, forged documents, irregular travel history, pending verifications, underage travel concerns, and risk of being a victim of human smuggling.
Intelligence-Driven Screening
The agency, as part of an intelligence-driven and risk-based approach, began screening outbound passengers after the Greece boat tragedy in June 2023, in which several Pakistani migrants perished in the Mediterranean Sea. Dr. Anwar stated that the objective is to facilitate lawful travel while protecting Pakistani citizens, safeguarding human lives, dismantling organized criminal networks, and preserving Pakistan's international reputation.
Impact on Illegal Migration
He noted that FIA's intelligence-led passenger screening and strict immigration scrutiny at international airports have reduced illegal migration through Malawi to "zero." Referring to a report by Frontex, the European border and coast guard agency, he added that illegal migration from Pakistan to the European Union dropped 64% in January-February 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. "The measures are meant to protect citizens from exploitation, detention, deportation, trafficking, and loss of life on dangerous migration routes," Dr. Anwar said, emphasizing that this screening does not restrict genuine travel.
Risk Analysis and Transit Routes
FIA's Risk Analysis Unit has identified Belarus, Cyprus, Central Asian states, and certain Eastern European countries as transit routes increasingly used by organized human smuggling networks for onward illegal migration to Europe. "Malawi also emerged as a high-risk transit hub in 2025," he added. The FIA's Annual Risk Analysis Report 2025 listed Southeast Asian cyber-trafficking, organized migrant smuggling networks, and transit migration through Eastern Europe and Central Asia as critical threats.
Preventive Actions
The FIA chief said preventive action against trafficking and cyber-scam camps in Cambodia and elsewhere has sharply reduced illegal migrant numbers in 2025-26. Deportees fell from 828 to 54. The FIA registered 57 cases and arrested 38 agents linked to trafficking to these camps. "FIA assessments show a declining trend in attempted irregular migration through several traditional corridors," he said.
Passenger Rights and Review Mechanism
To safeguard passenger rights, Dr. Anwar said he issued a Standing Order on June 1, 2026, establishing a review mechanism for offloading decisions. Passengers can appeal before the immigration in-charge and seek review by the concerned Zonal Grievance Committee. For work-visa travelers, a Joint Working Group of the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control, and the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development has been formed. According to FIA claims, its Risk Analysis Unit continuously monitors offloading trends for compliance with risk indicators and standard operating procedures (SOPs). Pre-departure facilitation desks have been set up at FIA zonal offices to guide travelers on document deficiencies to avoid offloading or refusal abroad.
