:Pakistan has decided to significantly expand the reach of its Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Immigration Wing by setting up six new link offices abroad to tackle the alarming rise in human trafficking. According to government officials, three offices will be located in Europe—in the United Kingdom, Spain, and Italy—while the remaining will be established in Turkey, Malaysia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Authorities revealed that these locations were carefully selected after investigations showed that several trafficking rings targeting Pakistan were being run from these countries. By increasing its overseas footprint, the FIA aims to dismantle smuggling networks, track illegal migration patterns, and stop the exploitation of vulnerable citizens. Officials stressed that the step underscores Pakistan’s commitment to curbing transnational crime and enhancing its capacity to monitor cross-border movement more effectively.
In addition to disrupting human smuggling routes, the overseas link offices will also play a dual role by providing facilitation services to travelers, businessmen, and tourists. Authorities explained that these centers will serve as a point of contact for foreign nationals seeking assistance related to travel to Pakistan, while also building stronger collaboration with host governments. The FIA expects the initiative to bolster intelligence-sharing, speed up investigations, and make it easier to identify and dismantle organized trafficking syndicates operating abroad. Officials further noted that the decision comes at a time when global migration challenges are on the rise, and countries must work together to fight networks exploiting people for profit. Pakistan’s new strategy is thus not only about enforcement but also about prevention, protection, and building international partnerships for safer mobility.
