The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Wednesday issued a comprehensive advisory after a gap of 20 years aimed at curbing human trafficking and ensuring stricter monitoring of passengers traveling to and from Pakistan.

The move comes in light of rising concerns about the exploitation of vulnerable individuals for forced labor and trafficking purposes.

The advisory, based on a detailed analysis of the Immigration and Border Management System (IBMS) database from July to December, highlights the increasing need for tighter surveillance on travelers from 15 countries.

The measures are particularly focused on passengers from nine Pakistani cities and specific foreign airlines, marking a significant step in the country's efforts to address the growing issue of human trafficking.

Cities and airlines under scrutiny

The nine Pakistani cities identified in the advisory include Mandi Bahauddin, Gujarat, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Jhelum, Toba Tek Singh, Hafizabad, Sheikhupura, and Bhimber. For the first time, the advisory has specifically directed authorities to intensify scrutiny on passengers aged 15 to 40 who are traveling abroad.

Among the countries under focus are Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Ethiopia, Senegal, Kenya, Russia, and Egypt. The advisory also calls for a detailed investigation into passengers traveling to Libya, Iran, Mauritania, Iraq, Turkey, Qatar, Kuwait, and Kyrgyzstan. These regions have been flagged due to their association with increased human trafficking activity in recent years.

Tighter regulations for foreign airlines

In a significant development, two foreign airlines — one from the Gulf region and the other from Africa — have been included in the advisory. The FIA has ordered that these airlines cooperate fully in verifying the documents of passengers, particularly those flying to or from Pakistan.

The advisory emphasizes the importance of scrutinizing all documents, including return tickets and hotel bookings, with particular attention given to passengers traveling on visit or tourist visas. Authorities have been instructed to interview suspicious passengers about the purpose of their travel, their financial arrangements, and to maintain detailed records of their activities.

Additionally, all irregularities must be reported immediately, and passengers exhibiting suspicious behavior should be investigated further. Officials have been urged to ensure that thorough checks are conducted on all individuals, especially those traveling to countries with a high risk of human trafficking.