Pakistan is moving toward automated immigration processing as international passenger traffic crossed 22.65 million movements during 2025.
Official data showed that 22,650,199 international passenger movements were processed across Pakistan during the year.
The figure included 11,097,240 arrivals and 11,552,959 departures, highlighting the growing volume of international travel through the country.
FIA Plans E-Gates for Faster Immigration
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is now expanding automation and digital verification at immigration counters.
FIA Additional Director General Immigration Nouman Siddiqui said the agency is implementing a comprehensive modernisation plan under Director General Dr Usman Anwar.
The initiative aims to make immigration processing faster and more convenient for genuine travellers.
A key part of the plan is the introduction of automated e-gates.
The system will initially be launched as a pilot project.
Eligible passengers, including work-permit holders and travellers whose documents can be digitally verified, will be able to complete immigration procedures through automated systems.
Immigration Clearance Could Become 80% Faster
According to FIA officials, automated immigration processing could reduce clearance times for eligible passengers by 70 to 80 percent.
The agency is also working to improve passenger complaint mechanisms.
It plans to identify operational bottlenecks and improve coordination between relevant agencies.
The measures are aimed at reducing delays while maintaining effective immigration checks.
FIA Strengthens Checks Against Fake Documents
Alongside faster processing, the FIA is expanding technology-based checks against fraudulent travel documents.
Digital verification systems will help detect fake passports, fraudulent visas and other suspicious documents at an earlier stage.
The FIA will also continue action against human smuggling and illegal migration.
Officials said genuine passengers should benefit from faster clearance, while travellers using forged documents would face stronger scrutiny.
International Passenger Traffic Remains High
Pakistan recorded significant international passenger activity throughout 2025.
On the day covered by the official data, 51,517 passenger movements were recorded across 295 arriving and departing flights.
Six major airports accounted for 49,181 passenger movements involving 285 flights.
The remaining 2,336 passenger movements and 10 flights were recorded at other international entry and exit points.
The FIA said e-gates, digital document verification, clearer procedures, passenger complaint systems and stronger inter-agency coordination are central to its immigration modernisation programme.
