Pakistan recorded 22,650,199 international passenger movements in 2025, comprising 11,097,240 arrivals and 11,552,959 departures, according to official data. The six major airports handled the vast majority of this traffic, while remaining entries and exits processed the balance.
To manage the rising volume and improve clearance efficiency, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is implementing a comprehensive modernization plan under Director General Dr. Usman Anwar.
Additional Director General Immigration Nouman Siddiqui stated that the agency is introducing automated e-gates as a pilot project to allow eligible individuals such as work-permit holders with verifiable digital credentials to complete immigration formalities independently.
This automated processing is projected to accelerate clearance times by 70 to 80 percent for eligible travelers.
Concurrently, the modernization framework integrates advanced digital verification technologies to detect fraudulent passports, visas, and forged travel documents while reinforcing measures against human smuggling and illegal migration.
Additional initiatives include enhanced passenger complaint mechanisms, streamlined operational procedures, and improved inter-agency coordination designed to expedite legitimate travel while strengthening security protocols.
