Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry stated on Saturday that Pakistan's successful strategy against illegal migration has become a model for the international community, as reported by state-run Radio Pakistan. Speaking at a high-level meeting of the Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling in Vienna, Austria, Chaudhry emphasized that illegal migration is not merely a cross-border issue but a global challenge requiring a coordinated international response. He stressed that promoting safe, orderly, and legal migration remains essential for effectively addressing illegal migration.
EU Commends Pakistan's Efforts
The European Union (EU) commended Pakistan's effective measures against illegal migration. Participants of the Global Alliance meeting praised the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for its efforts in combating illegal migration. Last month, a 47% decline in illegal immigration attempts by Pakistanis to Europe during the previous year was reported. Additionally, over the course of 2025, the FIA arrested approximately 1,770 human smugglers and increased its field interceptions from 628 to 2,662.
Structural Reforms and International Recognition
The EU formally acknowledged Pakistan's structural response as "exemplary," committing further bilateral funding to expand regional interception protocols. Thousands of Pakistani citizens fall prey every year to organised criminal networks operating hazardous, unauthorised international land and sea routes, driven by the pursuit of better economic opportunities. Popularly known as the “Dunki” route, this journey promises a quick gateway to Europe but routinely delivers betrayal, financial bankruptcy, captivity, and catastrophic loss of life.
FIA Reforms and Technology Deployment
Recognising the gravity of transnational organised crime, the FIA launched extensive institutional reforms. Backed by the National Action Plan to Counter the Smuggling of Migrants (2026–2030), the state fortified its borders and exit points. The FIA also introduced Second Line Control and AI-backed biometric profiling systems at major national airports, which successfully resulted in offloading nearly 40,000 suspicious travellers in 2025 alone.
