Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a review meeting on Saturday on eradication of human trafficking and illegal travel, underscoring the seriousness with which government views this long-standing problem. Any effort aimed at curbing human smuggling and illegal migration deserves full support, particularly when it is coupled with prime minister’s clear emphasis on upgrading immigration system through the use of modern technology, a step that is no longer optional but an urgent national necessity.
Human smuggling has over the years emerged as a tragic by-product of economic pressures, unemployment and false promises extended by criminal networks. Thousands of Pakistanis, especially young men, are lured by agents who claim they can send them to Europe through “safe” yet illegal routes while reality is otherwise. Numerous incidents in recent years have shown how deadly these journeys can be. Pakistani migrants have drowned in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, suffocated in containers or had been abandoned at sea after being extorted by smugglers. Each such incident leaves behind grieving families and communities shattered by loss. These deaths are not accidents, they are direct consequence of illegal migration networks thriving on weak enforcement and desperation.
Illegal travel also causes immense embarrassment for the country. When Pakistanis are caught travelling on fake or dubious documents, or when Umrah visas are misused for begging, it damages country’s image and creates difficulties for genuine travellers. Host countries respond by tightening visa regimes, increasing scrutiny and imposing restrictions that affect everyone, including law-abiding citizens. In this context, the prime minister’s call to fully utilise modern technology to upgrade immigration system is both timely and pragmatic. Advanced data integration, biometric verification, real-time risk profiling and automated passenger screening can significantly improve state’s ability to identify suspicious cases without resorting to arbitrary or manual decisions.
The data shared with prime minister showed that the FIA arrested 451 individuals involved in human trafficking and illegal travel this year. Due to these efforts, number of Pakistanis travelling illegally to Europe has declined by 47 per cent, while reductions have also been recorded in cases of travel on illegal documents to the UK and Gulf countries. This is indeed encouraging.
However, while strict vigilance has undoubtedly improved the situation, it must not come at the cost of creating hardships for genuine travellers. The vast majority of Pakistanis travelling abroad do so legally, primarily for employment, especially in Gulf countries. These workers form the backbone of Pakistan’s remittance economy, sending billions of dollars home every year and supporting millions of families. Any obstacle placed in their way, particularly unjust off-loading at airports despite valid documents, has serious human and economic consequences.For someone who has struggled to secure a job abroad amid limited opportunities at home, returning from an airport can be devastating. Such individuals often invest their life savings, borrow money, or sell assets to finance overseas employment.
Being stopped without just cause does not merely delay a trip, it can cost them their job offer and push families deeper into financial distress. In effect, careless or overzealous enforcement can end up destroying livelihoods. Therefore, a foolproof and humane mechanism must be evolved and implemented. Seamless coordination among immigration authorities, the FIA, the Protectorate of Emigrants and other relevant departments is essential to ensure that decisions are based on verified data rather than suspicion or discretion. Clear standard operating procedures, transparency and accountability must guide airport operations so that power is not abused and genuine travellers are treated with dignity.
The fight against human smuggling is necessary and non-negotiable. Those who attempt to travel on illegal documents or risk dangerous routes to Europe must be stopped, for their own safety and for country’s reputation yet enforcement must be intelligent, targeted and fair. Technology should act as a shield for innocent and a net for the guilty, not a blunt instrument that harms ordinary citizens.
Ultimately, addressing illegal migration also requires tackling its root causes: unemployment, lack of skills development and limited domestic opportunities. Until these issues are meaningfully addressed, temptation to seek risky paths abroad will persist. In the meantime, state must walk a careful line by cracking down hard on smugglers and illegal travellers but protecting rights, dignity and livelihoods of those who choose the legal path. This balance, if achieved, will not only save lives but also restore confidence in the system.
