Pakistan’s FIA Issues Advisory to Curb Human Trafficking After 20 Years

In a significant move to combat human trafficking, Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has issued an advisory for the first time in 20 years, targeting travelers from nine cities in Pakistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir. The new measures will intensify surveillance on individuals traveling to 15 countries, focusing on those aged 15 to 40.

The cities under scrutiny include Mandibahuddin, Gujrat, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Jhelum, Toba Tek Singh, Hafizabad, Sheikhupura, and Bhimber. Additionally, travelers bound for countries like Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Ethiopia, Senegal, Kenya, Russia, Egypt, Libya, Iran, Mauritania, Iraq, Turkey, Qatar, Kuwait, and Kyrgyzstan will be closely monitored. The advisory also directs a focus on one Gulf and one African airline.

The FIA’s decision follows a detailed analysis of international travel data from July to December 2023, aiming to prevent illegal overseas employment and human trafficking. As part of the new measures, officials are instructed to conduct thorough checks on all travel documents, including return tickets and hotel bookings, particularly for those traveling on visit or tourism visas. Suspected travelers will undergo interviews regarding their travel purposes and financial arrangements.

Adnan Paracha, Vice Chairman of the Overseas Employment Promoters Association, welcomed the move but stressed that it should not be a temporary measure. He pointed out the involvement of unlicensed agents in sending individuals illegally on transit visas and emphasized that cooperation with other countries is essential to close these illegal channels.

The FIA’s efforts reflect Pakistan’s commitment to curbing human trafficking and ensuring that overseas employment opportunities for its citizens are both legal and safe.