ISLAMABAD(National Times)- Federal Inv\u00ades\u00adtigation Agency Director Ge\u00ad\u00adneral Dr Usman Anwar on Mo\u00ad\u00adnday said that offloading was a \u201clawful, preventive, and protective measure\u201d used only where credible risk indicators exist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe objective is to facilitate lawful travel while protecting the country\u2019s citizens, safeguarding human lives, co\u00ad\u00aduntering organised criminal networks, and preserving the country\u2019s international reputation,\u201d the FIA chief said while talking to reporters here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr Anwar said the FIA has intensified intelligence-led passenger screening at international airports, bringing illegal migration through Malawi to \u201czero\u201d and cutting irregular flows to the EU by 64 per cent in early 2026. He said the measures target human smuggling, trafficking and visa abuse, and are meant to protect people from \u201cexploitation, detention, deportation, trafficking, and loss of life on dangerous migration routes,\u201d not to restrict genuine travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said his agency has identified Belarus, Cyprus, Central Asian states and certain Eastern European transit corridors as routes \u201cincreasingly exploited by organised human smuggling networks\u201d for onward illegal migration to Europe, he said. Malawi also emerged as a high-risk transit hub in 2025. Criminal facilitators, the DG said, lure vulnerable people with false promises of jobs, education, settlement and legal migration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n