The government is preparing to roll out an artificial intelligence-powered immigration application at Islamabad Airport as part of a new strategy to strengthen border security and streamline passenger services. Developed under the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and directed by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, the initiative is designed to prevent human smuggling while reducing wait times for travelers. During a high-level meeting at FIA Headquarters, officials presented the new system and explained how it would simplify procedures while improving oversight of immigration.
Interior Minister Naqvi described the AI-based solution as the “need of the hour,” stressing its dual role in curbing trafficking and easing the travel experience for passengers. He ordered immediate release of funds to upgrade FIA’s IT infrastructure so the project could progress without delays. Alongside this initiative, Naqvi also reviewed broader reform plans, including modernization of FIA’s headquarters and the development of a new academy building on land recently allotted by the Capital Development Authority. To strengthen the agency further, he instructed officials to begin hiring for vacant posts immediately and assured that financial and technical resources would be made available to support the reforms.
During the briefing, FIA Director General Raja Riffat Mukhtar highlighted that amendments to the FIA Act have already been completed and digital transformation is underway. He shared that the agency has shifted to an e-office system to improve internal workflows and transparency. As part of this digitisation drive, all FIA notices will now carry QR codes, ensuring accountability and reducing risks of tampering. The app is expected to integrate seamlessly into this wider effort to digitize operations and enhance service delivery.
This initiative follows other technology-driven reforms introduced by government agencies in recent months. In July, the Federal Board of Revenue launched Pakistan’s first AI-based Customs Clearance and Risk Management System to reduce human intervention, increase transparency, and improve trade processes. FIA’s new immigration app is aligned with this broader vision of using artificial intelligence to strengthen governance frameworks, address persistent challenges such as trafficking, and improve efficiency. Experts have suggested that the pilot project at Islamabad Airport will allow the government to evaluate the system in real-world conditions before considering nationwide deployment.
Officials and policy experts believe these digital reforms represent an important step toward modernizing Pakistan’s immigration and border control systems. By deploying AI technologies and supporting them with updated legal frameworks, the government aims to curb human smuggling, safeguard passengers, and meet international standards of border management. The upcoming launch of the app reflects Pakistan’s growing focus on digital governance and its efforts to integrate technology into critical state services.
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