ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has announced the launch of a new artificial intelligence (AI)-based application as a pilot project to stop illegal immigration and detect fake travel documents.
He made the announcement while co-chairing a meeting with Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik Hussain. The meeting reviewed proposed “immigration reforms” to make travel easier for citizens and improve Pakistan’s image abroad.
Naqvi said the AI app will help authorities identify “who is fit to travel and who is not”. He said the government will adopt zero tolerance against fake visas, agent mafias and all forms of illegal immigration.
During the meeting, it was decided that strict action would be taken against people travelling on forged documents and a crackdown would be launched against networks involved in preparing fake visas. The ministers also directed that final recommendations for the reform package be submitted within seven days.
Naqvi said the process of issuing Protectors — emigration clearances for workers going abroad — will be made foolproof. He added that wider reforms in the immigration system will be introduced to help passengers. He also said that once the passports of deported individuals are cancelled, the government will ensure they do not receive a new visa again.
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The interior minister further announced that a uniform international driving licence will be issued through the National Police Bureau. He said the government is in contact with other countries to improve the ranking of the Pakistani passport, adding that people going abroad illegally are harming the country’s reputation.
“The purpose of immigration reforms is to give convenience to the public and improve our global image,” Naqvi said.
Federal Minister Salik Hussain said that all people travelling on labour visas must have authentic documents. He assured that the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis will fully support improvements in the Protector system and the overall immigration process.
