FIA says illegal migration drops 45% after crackdown

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) told the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat that a crackdown on illegal migration had resulted in a 45%

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) told the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat that a crackdown on illegal migration had resulted in a 45% decline in the number of people attempting to leave the country unlawfully.

During the committee meeting, FIA officials said 160 Pakistanis had been deported from Libya and 15 from Poland, adding that Libya was not their intended destination.

The officials further said that 60 people had been deported from Türkiye, although their intended destinations were Saudi Arabia or other countries.

According to FIA officials, the European Union had asked Pakistan to adopt a more lenient approach regarding visa-related matters.

The committee also discussed concerns over the alleged high charges being collected for the verification of documents by the Foreign Office.

Committee Chairman Rana Mahmood-ul-Hassan alleged that Foreign Office officials were charging people millions of rupees in the name of document verification.

He also referred to action taken against individuals involved in the matter, saying that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had informed the committee that cases had been registered against six people.

However, the accused were released on bail the following day, he added.

The committee reviewed measures being taken to curb illegal migration and prevent Pakistanis from falling victim to deceptive or unlawful routes to reach Europe and other foreign destinations.