ISLAMABAD: A manual has been developed to empower the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to control movement of people across borders on forged and fake documents.

The manual on ‘travel documents, security features, production technologies and examination’ developed by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) has been specifically developed for the FIA’s Immigration Wing based on their operational needs and priorities as well as international best practice.

The manual was handed over to the newly-recruited batch of 33 assistant directors of FIA here on Friday at the close of a five-day training on document security and profiling.

The copies of the training manual will be distributed to all border crossing points (BCPs) in Pakistan as well as the FIA’s training academy to be used for training purposes.

Apart from the manual, the “six Keesing Document Checker Module ID Licenses” were provided to FIA, which will grant the agency access to the world’s most comprehensive reference database for identification documents used to verify the authenticity of passports, ID cards, residence permits, visas and driving licences against the most up-to-date information.

The document checker database contains reference material on thousands of specimens and genuine documents from over 200 countries and organisations from around the world.

The Keesing Document Checker licences will be deployed at Pakistan’s busiest international airports and will be used by FIA officers responsible for checking the authenticity of travel documents.

Director General FIA Hassan Butt said the use of false and fraudulent travel documents and identities was an enabler of a wide variety of organised criminal activities, including irregular migration, human trafficking, narcotics, contraband goods smuggling and terrorism.

Jakob Linulf, Danish Ambassador-designate, said that the integration of a right-based approach throughout migration and border management governance is of great importance to Pakistan, Afghanistan and their neighbouring countries with the aim to safeguard the rights of vulnerable migrants and at the same time to facilitate cross-border economic activity and trade.

He said that the project “Rights Based Border Management in Silk Route Countries” was crucial in addressing such challenges and solutions, especially when it comes to border and migration management.

The project aims to support the countries of the Silk Routes region, including Pakistan, to build more effective and efficient border management systems, and in doing so strengthen the capacity of state authorities to combat irregular migration, encourage safe migration and enhance trade and prosperity across borders.

Published in Dawn, October 1st, 2022