Human smugglers and law enforcement exploit Pakistan's e-visa system for trafficking

Pakistani smugglers have illegally moved more than 16,000 people into Libya by exploiting the country's electronic visa system and corrupt immigration officials, according to government documents obtained by Nukta.

The documents show smugglers worked with corrupt officials at the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Pakistan's top law enforcement body, to bypass visa controls. Their scheme was uncovered during an investigation into a fatal migrant boat incident off Greece's coast.

A photo provided by the Hellenic Coast Guard shows migrants onboard a boat during a rescue operation, before their boat capsized on the open sea, off Greece, June 14, 2023. Reuters

According to the report, only 834 of the 17,363 people who entered Libya between January 2021 and June 2023 had legitimate visas issued by Libya's internationally recognized National Unity Government in Tripoli, the documents reveal. The remaining 16,529 travelers entered through Benghazi using irregular "travel authorizations" from the rival General National Stability (GNS) authorities, who control eastern Libya in the country's ongoing power struggle.

The investigation found widespread security gaps in Pakistan's immigration system. Officials lack standard procedures to verify foreign e-visas, giving staff broad discretion over which documents to accept.

Travel agents are exploiting these weaknesses in the "OK to Board" verification process, particularly through documents issued by Fly Dubai, Al Siji Travels and New Choudhary Travels. Immigration staff cannot consistently verify these authorizations.

Even basic equipment is missing: FIA airport staff lack A4-size scanners needed to properly examine e-group visa authorizations, creating more opportunities for fraud.

8.2% conviction rate

According to the document, FIA arrested 3,098 people, primarily agents, for human smuggling across its top 10 jurisdictions over a four-and-a-half-year period. Of these arrests, only 257 people (8.2%) were convicted. Among those convicted, just 36 received prison sentences, while the remaining 221 were given minimal fines.

Of the 3,098 arrested human smugglers, only 1 percent received jail sentences. Furthermore, authorities recovered a mere PKR 0.4 million from all arrested suspects combined.

According to the Ministry of Interior report, on December 19, 2024, FIA directed the placement of 15 human traffickers on the Passport Control List (PCL) and Provisional National Identification List (PNIL). These individuals were allegedly involved in the June 2023 boat incident. However, the decision to add them to these watchlists came approximately one and a half years after the incident, raising concerns about delays in investigation and enforcement procedures.

The report identifies social media influence as a key pull factor, citing examples like the TikTok account "Shado Wella Official" (shadowella5) from Sargodha. Such influencers often present a distorted view of migration, highlighting glamorous aspects while minimizing the associated risks and challenges.

According to the report, this selective portrayal of reality can misguide potential migrants, causing them to make dangerous decisions without fully understanding the consequences.

Solutions

Despite Pakistan establishing an immigration counselor's office in Athens, Greece, there has been no significant improvement in preventing human smuggling, the report says.

Key recommendations in the report emphasize that addressing human trafficking requires creating economic opportunities for unemployed youth. The Technical Education & Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) should establish centers in regions vulnerable to human smuggling, providing skills training to help residents secure legitimate employment opportunities abroad.

The comments also emphasized the need for enhanced surveillance at all airports, particularly focusing on Pakistani passengers traveling to high-risk destinations such as Libya without valid justification.

The Ministry of Interior has proposed amendments to the Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants Act 2018, introducing several new measures. These include asset freezing, placing criminal organized groups (both domestic and international) on the COG list for one year, and creating a centralized database of criminal inquiries and cases. The amendments also address witness protection by implementing protocols for relocating smuggled migrants and witnesses, as well as restricting the disclosure of their names.