Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has directed authorities to conduct stringent screening of passengers’ travel documents at all airports to combat illegal immigration.
Chairing a high-level meeting on Friday to review the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) immigration wing and ongoing measures against illegal immigration and human trafficking, the minister stressed that the FIA must continue taking strict and impartial action against criminal networks involved in such activities.
He instructed the FIA to ensure effective enforcement of immigration laws, strengthen airport immigration systems, and implement rigorous document checks for travelers to prevent illegal activities.
During the meeting, officials also discussed operations against the “organised professional beggar mafia,” ordering an effective crackdown against them.
Naqvi said that elements involved in human trafficking are not entitled to any leniency and warned that Pakistan’s reputation must not be compromised under any circumstances.
The meeting was attended by the FIA director general, and other senior officials.
Last month, the interior minister announced the launch of an artificial intelligence-based application as a pilot project to curb illegal immigration and clamp down on fake travel documents.
Naqvi had said the AI-based app would help authorities determine “who is fit to travel and who is not”. He said the measures were aimed at stopping illegal immigration and that zero tolerance would be adopted against fake visas and agent mafias.
“The purpose of immigration reforms is to provide convenience to the public and improve the global image,” Naqvi said.
Source: The News
