Enhancing FIA Investigators’ Skills in Mutual Legal Assistance for Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Investigations

© UNODC-Pakistan

8 January 2026. Islamabad - In recent years, human trafficking and migrant smuggling have emerged as one of the most significant transnational crimes. Investigators working on these cases often face significant challenges, particularly when critical evidence is located outside the country. Despite sustained institutional efforts to counter these offences, conviction rates remain low. One contributing factor is limited institutional capacities to obtain and use evidence from foreign jurisdictions.

Pakistan has established a comprehensive legal framework for Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA), designed to help authorities to access vital evidence across borders, in cases transnational crime. However, turning this framework into effective action requires a clear understanding of the process and the confidence to apply it in real cases. Effective use of the MLA mechanism can significantly enhance the chances of successful prosecution and securing timely convictions.

To bridge this gap, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime with the support of the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) conducted specialized training for investigators in Pakistan working on human trafficking and migrant smuggling cases. The training sessions brought together investigators and officials from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Provincial Police, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Prosecution Departments, and Provincial Home Departments, fostering inter-agency coordination in the use of Mutual Legal Assistance mechanisms.

© UNODC-Pakistan

These training workshops focused on practical applications, enabling participants to navigate MLA procedures with greater clarity and confidence, and victim-centered approach. Three rounds of training were held on 10 to 11 November 2025 in Lahore, 19 to 20 November 2025 in Karachi, and 3 to 4 December 2025 in Islamabad jurisdictionally covering all four provinces and equipping participants with advanced skills, laying the groundwork for more coordinated and stronger institutional practices.

Over the course of the two-days, and to translate theory into practice, the investigators and prosecutors took part in hands-on simulation exercises replicating real investigative scenarios. These exercises guided them through the process of linking offences to concrete evidentiary needs, identifying the appropriate foreign jurisdictions, and navigating both formal and informal channels of international cooperation. The simulation exercise included the drafting of an outgoing MLA request - followed by constructive feedback from trainers and peer review among participants.

© UNODC-Pakistan

The training also featured case-based learning, with participants receiving insights into actual Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) cases presented by a representative of the FIA Headquarters based in Islamabad. By the end of the workshop, participants demonstrated an improved understanding of the practical and operational use of Mutual Legal Assistance.

The training was highly relevant to our daily investigation routines and will significantly strengthen our investigations and prosecutions. The faculty members were professional, knowledgeable, and engaging. We are grateful to UNODC for this valuable learning opportunity.”

— Participant from FIA, MLA Training Lahore

For investigators and the criminal justice system, the impact of these trainings is intended to be practical and immediate. By strengthening the effective use of Mutual Legal Assistance, the training supports stronger cross-border investigations, improved quality of evidence collection, and more effective prosecution in cases.