Streamlined Immigration: FIA Rolls Out Pre-Departure Support for Travellers

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has introduced Pre-Departure Facilitation Desks at all zonal offices to assist international travellers with immigration procedures and clearances, Federal Interior and Narcotics Control Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced. This initiative aims to streamline passenger processing and provide guidance through in-person support, helplines, and email, with details available at airports, border points, and the FIA website.

The new facilitation service comes amid rising concerns over passengers being offloaded at airports due to incomplete documentation or involvement in illegal travel networks. In 2025 alone, 66,154 air travellers were offloaded as part of efforts to curb human smuggling and illegal outbound travel.

Minister Naqvi, during his visit to the FIA Karachi office, also stressed a zero-tolerance policy on hawala and hundi operations and called for strict action against human-smuggling networks. He noted that 20 agents had been arrested in recent months, and non-customs goods and narcotics worth Rs140 million were seized.

Officials confirmed that the new desks would ensure smooth processing of departing passengers while cracking down on irregularities and corruption among FIA staff. Staffing and resources for the Karachi Zone will be enhanced to improve performance and efficiency.

“Elements who deceive people with false promises of jobs abroad deserve not even the slightest concession,” Naqvi emphasized, urging FIA officials to pursue all cases without outside influence.

The facilitation desks represent a major step toward safer and more organized international travel for Pakistani passengers.