**FIA Issues First Advisory in Two Decades to Combat Human Trafficking**
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has taken a monumental step in the fight against human trafficking by releasing its first travel advisory in 20 years. This groundbreaking advisory aims to enhance surveillance and monitoring of passengers to prevent illegal activities from taking place under the guise of international travel.
**Heightened Surveillance on Passengers from Specific Countries**
The FIA Headquarters has dispatched a directive to Deputy Directors of Immigration all over Pakistan, emphasizing the need for strict monitoring of passengers from 15 countries, 9 cities within Pakistan, and two specific airlines. The advisory focuses on individuals aged between 15 to 40 years who are traveling abroad, particularly those flying with FlyDubai and Ethiopian Airlines.
**Thorough Scrutiny of Passengers and Profiling Measures**
Passengers originating from countries such as Azerbaijan, Ethiopia, Senegal, Kenya, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt are set to undergo comprehensive scrutiny. Additionally, passengers from Libya, Iran, Mauritania, Iraq, Turkiye, Qatar, Kuwait, and Kyrgyzstan will also be profiled due to their association with human trafficking activities.
**Enhanced Measures for Monitoring and Profiling**
In a bid to combat human trafficking more effectively, passengers from specific cities in Pakistan including Mandi Bahauddin, Gujarat, Sialkot, Gujranwala, and Bimber will be closely monitored. Furthermore, enhanced profiling measures for individuals from Jhelum, Toba Tek Singh, Hafizabad, and Sheikhupura have been put in place to strengthen the preventive efforts.
**Crucial Checks and Immediate Reporting**
To enforce these measures, thorough examinations of return tickets, hotel bookings, and all relevant documents have been ordered. Suspicious passengers will be interviewed regarding their travel intentions and financial arrangements. FIA officials have stressed the importance of maintaining detailed records of such passengers and promptly reporting any irregularities that may arise.
In a recent incident at Islamabad Airport, the FIA managed to thwart a significant human trafficking attempt, detaining five individuals who were attempting to travel to Saudi Arabia and Libya under fraudulent Umrah visas. This incident underscores the critical need for heightened vigilance and stringent screening procedures at all entry points to combat the menace of human trafficking.
As the FIA continues its relentless efforts to crack down on human trafficking, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has underscored the importance of a coordinated and holistic approach to capture and punish those involved in this reprehensible crime. The recent actions taken by the FIA have been commended, highlighting the government’s unwavering commitment to eradicating human trafficking from Pakistani soil.
