Parliamentary Panel Urges Transparency and System Integration Amid Immigration Crackdown
Pakistan is planning to introduce a new IMMI mobile application alongside enhanced risk-analysis systems after passenger off-loadings at airports surged to more than 66,000 cases in one year, lawmakers were informed during a parliamentary briefing.
The update was shared with the National Assembly Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, as officials outlined steps being taken to modernize pre-departure screening and reduce last-minute immigration interventions.
New Risk-Analysis Systems Aim to Flag Issues Before Airport Arrival
Officials told the committee that a dedicated risk-assessment unit has been set up, while development work is underway on the IMMI app. The new tools are designed to identify high-risk travelers earlier in the travel process and enable real-time monitoring at immigration counters.
Authorities said the goal is to prevent passengers from being stopped at airports without prior notice, a situation that often causes distress and logistical problems for travelers.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to upgrade Pakistan’s immigration framework in response to growing international pressure to address illegal migration, human trafficking, and organized begging networks.
Lawmakers Highlight Poor Coordination as Key Issue
While welcoming technological improvements, committee members raised serious concerns over weak coordination between government systems, which they said continues to cause unnecessary hardship for legitimate travelers.
Lawmakers called for immediate integration between the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) databases and the Protectorate of Emigrants’ e-Protector system, stressing that document verification should be completed well before departure.
“If there is a problem, travelers should be informed in advance instead of being stopped at the airport,” members emphasized, noting that overseas workers are often the most affected.
Calls for Clear Appeals and Complaint Mechanisms
The committee chair stressed the need for greater accountability and transparency in off-loading decisions. Authorities were directed to ensure that:
Procedures for challenging off-loading decisions are clearly communicated
Contact details of responsible officials are displayed at airports
An online complaint system is easily accessible to passengers
Members said improved communication and institutional coordination would help reduce harassment and rebuild public trust in immigration enforcement.
Officials were also asked to present a clear timeline for system integration and public awareness initiatives at the next meeting.
Off-Loadings Nearly Double as Enforcement Tightens
Briefing lawmakers on enforcement trends, the Director General FIA reported that 66,154 passengers were off-loaded this year, compared to around 35,000 during the previous year.
According to FIA data:
Over 51,000 cases involved questionable or unverifiable documents
Most travelers were using work, tourist, or Umrah visas
The FIA chief said the increase reflects intensified action against increasingly organized and sophisticated illegal migration networks.
Illegal Migration and Begging Impact Pakistan’s Image Abroad
FIA officials warned that illegal migration and organized begging rings are damaging Pakistan’s international reputation and triggering stricter visa policies.
Lawmakers were told that:
More than 56,000 Pakistani beggars were deported from Saudi Arabia
The UAE has tightened visa rules for Pakistani nationals
New illegal migration routes are emerging through Africa, Europe, and Southeast Asia, often using tourist visas
Officials said such trends prompt host countries to impose broad restrictions that affect genuine travelers and workers.
Focus on Redressal, Welfare, and Prevention
While supporting stronger enforcement, the committee stressed that travelers wrongly off-loaded must have access to quick and transparent redressal mechanisms. It directed authorities to publish a clear off-loading SOP, establish visible airport complaint desks, and ensure timely relief for affected passengers.
Members were also briefed that Community Welfare Attachés (CWAs) handled over 55,000 welfare cases in 2025, including repatriations, legal assistance, and death-related cases. However, lawmakers highlighted persistent challenges such as employer abuse, passport confiscation, and limited outreach in remote labor camps.
The session concluded with directives to strengthen pre-departure orientation, improve contract verification, expand legal-aid support at foreign missions, and display off-loading procedures prominently at all airports.
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