Pakistan’s FIA defends AI profiling and phone checks at airports despite constitutional privacy concerns

Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has defended its use of artificial intelligence tools and mobile phone checks at airports to combat organised human smuggling, following public backlash over immigration checks.

Additional Director-General for Immigration Nouman Siddiqui stated that AI-assisted profiling targets high-risk travel patterns, such as first-time visitors travelling to countries like Senegal, Malawi, or Cyprus with no clear family or employment ties, and that phone inspections occur only in select cases linked to smuggling networks. The FIA cited thousands of recent instances where citizens failed to return from visit visas, emphasizing that proactive measures are necessary to protect genuine travellers and prevent international reputational damage.

However, legal experts warn that the agency is exceeding its authority. Immigration lawyer Umar Gilani noted that while officers can inspect travel documents, compelling passengers to unlock smartphones constitutes search and seizure, which legally requires a formal criminal investigation.

Gilani argued that forcing access to personal devices violates the right to privacy under Article 14 of Pakistan’s constitution, calling for an independent immigration tribunal to oversee official decisions and safeguard fundamental rights.