ISLAMABAD:A multi-year regional initiative to strengthen human rights protections and reduce irregular migration at the borders of Pakistan and Iraq has successfully concluded.
The Rights-Based Border Management in the Silk Routes Countries (RBM Silk Routes) project, a joint effort between the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) and the governments of both countries, marked its successful completion at a closing conference held Thursday. The project was funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
From January 2022 to September 2025, the project focused on enhancing the operational capacities of border agencies while integrating a human rights-based approach.
In Pakistan, a significant outcome was the establishment of five specialised offices with forensic capabilities at key international airports in Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Multan, and Sialkot. These facilities are designed to detect forged passports and fake identities. Mr. Jan Muhammad, Additional Director General FIA, highlighted this progress, stating that the project has been a ‘significant step forward’ for the FIA.
He added that Pakistan was committed to sustaining these achievements and expanding risk-based border management. In Iraq, the project focused on developing new capabilities for identifying border threats and risks. It also established a sustainable training program to educate Iraqi border guards on applying human rights principles in their work. Alrikabi Maytham, Head of the Migration Department at Iraq's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, praised the initiative, noting that it has "firmly embedded human rights at the heart of border management."
The closing conference not only celebrated national accomplishments but also emphasised the importance of cross-border cooperation. High-level representatives from the governments of Pakistan, Iraq, and Denmark, along with migration experts, attended the event.
Ms. Kitty Nielsen, Regional Migration Attache for Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, underscored the importance of a rights-based approach, noting Denmark’s satisfaction in seeing the project translate this principle into ‘meaningful action’.
Enrico Ragaglia, Regional Portfolio Manager for the Silk Routes at ICMPD, reaffirmed his organisation’s commitment to ensuring the project’s gains lead to long-term policy changes. He acknowledged the dedication of all partners, which he said led to a "real change in behaviour and performance.”
The event, co-organized by ICMPD and Pakistan's Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control, highlighted a collective resolve to ensure that border management in the region remains effective, coordinated, and respectful of human rights. Asim Ayub, Joint Secretary at Ministry of Interior, stated that the ministry was dedicated to expanding the initiated reforms and working with partners to manage migration in a way that ‘enhances security, upholds rights, and creates opportunities’.
