ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investiga­tion Agency (FIA) has developed an artificial intelligence-based application to curb human smuggling and ease immigration process.

A pilot project of the newly developed app will be launched at the Islamabad airport, a top-level meeting, held at the FIA headquarters and presided over by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, was told on Friday.

The meeting reviewed progress on the decisions taken in the previous meeting regarding modernising the FIA.

Mr Naqvi was briefed on the AI-based app designed to simplify immigration procedures and counter human trafficking. The interior minister appreciated the App and termed it the need of the hour.

Application also aims to ease immigration process; pilot project to be launched at Islamabad airport

He said this initiative would not only help stop human trafficking but also save passengers from the hassle of waiting in long queues for hours.

He directed that immediate funds be provided to FIA to improve its IT infrastructure.

He also ordered an urgent upgrade of the FIA headquarters building and instructed CDA officials to hand over the newly allotted land for the FIA Academy to the agency without delay.

In view of staff shortage, Mr Naqvi directed that recruitment against all approved vacant posts be started immediately. He also assured that all necessary resources will be provided but stressed that along with resources, performance must also be delivered.

FIA Director General Raja Riffat Mukhtar informed the minister that work on the necessary amendments to the FIA Act has been completed.

He further informed the meeting that the process of digitisation was also being pursued on priority basis.

The organisation has been shifted to e-office system within a short time, and all FIA notices will now be issued with QR codes.

All additional directors general and directors of FIA attended the meeting, while zonal directors participated in the meeting through online.

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2025