ICMPD culminated the Rights Based Border Management in the Silk Routes Countries (RBM Silk Routes) project in a closing conference in Islamabad last week. The multi-year regional initiative in Pakistan and Iraq enhanced the operational capacities of their border agencies to reduce irregular migration while strengthening human rights protections at borders.
Funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and implemented by ICMPD, the project worked with the Governments of Pakistan and Iraq between January 2022 and September 2025. The closing conference highlighted not only national achievements for both countries, but also the value of cross-border cooperation and shared learning that has regional impact.
In Pakistan, the project supported the opening of five (5) specialised offices with forensic capabilities to identify forged passports and fake identities at Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Multan and Sialkot airports, as well as upgrading the FIA’s national forensic document examination laboratory in Islamabad. The conference served as a platform to showcase these results, among other successes, and allowed for border officials from Iraq and Pakistan to exchange lessons learned during the process.
This project has been a significant step forward for the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). Pakistan reaffirms its commitment to sustaining and expanding these achievements; and we will continue to implement the Three Lines of Border Control, and expand the reach of rights -based border management at the zonal level. We also look forward to strengthening international partnerships, sharing experiences with partner countries, and contributing to the collective efforts in addressing irregular migration and transnational crime.FIA Additional Director General Mr Jan Muhammad, said at the event
More than 100 first-line Immigration Officers were trained on Basic Document Security in Pakistan; and 57 second- and third-line officers trained on Advanced Document Security, Risk Profiling, Human Rights at Borders, information exchange, and Border Forensic Equipment. Combined with other parallel efforts, these led to a 16% increase in preventing irregular migration attempts from Pakistan.
In Iraq, the project developed new capacities to identify threats and risks at the border, along with a sustainable training programme to educate border guards on human rights approach in border management. Six risk analysis units have been established; while eight national master trainers on risk analysis are now qualified to deliver basic-level training using tailored manuals and e-learning modules.
Together with ICMPD and with the generous support of Denmark, we have strengthened national capacities, fostered greater inter-institutional cooperation, and introduced new approaches that firmly embed human rights at the heart of border management. These accomplishments mark a significant step forward towards a professional, modern, and rights-based border management system in Iraq.said Mr Alrikabi Maytham, Head of Migration Department, MOFA Iraq
A pool of 10 human rights master trainers, representing several agencies and the Border Ports Commission, have incorporated the curriculum into their training cycles. Between November 2024 and August 2025, 11 training sessions on human rights at borders were independently organised. A total of 689 officials have also been trained on contingency planning, human rights, and risk analysis.
“A rights-based approach to border management was of particular importance to Denmark and why we were very happy to see it translated into meaningful action through this project,” said Ms Kitty Nielsen, Regional Migration Attache of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noting the impact of the project. Other representatives from the Government of Denmark emphasised their commitment to supporting such sustainable, rights-based migration governance programmes across the region.
ICMPD co-organised the closing conference with the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control of Pakistan and its line department, the FIA. The event brought together high-level representatives from the Governments of Pakistan, Iraq, and Denmark, as well as national and international organisations, diplomatic representatives, and migration experts.
The Ministry of Interior remains committed to sustaining and expanding the reforms that have been initiated, and to working with partners to ensure that migration is managed in a way that enhances security, upholds rights, and creates opportunities for our people.Mr. Asim Ayub, Joint Secretary for Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control, said
With participation from national and international stakeholders, the conference underscored a collective determination to ensure that border management in the Silk Routes region remains effective, coordinated, and respectful of human rights. ICMPD also reaffirmed its commitment to continue working with partner governments to ensure that institutional reforms and technical gains made under the RBM Silk Routes project translate into long-term policy change.
Background
The RBM SR Project is a regional project funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and implemented by ICMPD in Iraq and Pakistan.
In Iraq, the project enhances border management by strengthening the capacities of relevant institutions in planning border control and responding to crises based on risk analysis. It aligns with the strategic priorities of the Government of Iraq and focuses on establishing a comprehensive Risk Analysis Unit capable of linking long-term strategic planning with operational and tactical decision-making. The project also promotes the integration of Human Rights principles and the development of effective Contingency Planning for crisis response.
In Pakistan, the project has successfully pioneered the "Three Lines of Border Control" concept within the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) border management framework. Under this concept, significant achievements include the expansion of second-line offices, comprehensive capacity-building initiatives, upgrading of forensic lab facilities, and the strengthening of information exchange mechanisms.
(from left) Mr Alrikabi Maytham, Head of Migration Department, MOFA Iraq; Ms Kitty Nielsen, Regional Migration Attache, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Denmark; Pakistan's FIA Additional Director General Mr Jan Muhammad; and Mr Enrico Ragaglia, Regional Portfolio Manager, Silk Routes, ICMPD.