Islamabad, Pakistan: The Integrated Border Management (IBM) concept originated two decades ago as a solution designed to address the management of the external borders of the European Union. Since then it has evolved into a globally recognised standard in ensuring coordination and cooperation among all relevant authorities involved in border security and trade facilitation. One of the six fields covered within IBM is Human Resources and Training. Within this context, on 7-11th March 2022, ICMPD conducted a training workshop on Document Security Basic Level and an Introduction to Integrated Border Management (IBM) and Leadership for Assistant Directors of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) of Pakistan.
The training was organised at the request of the FIA Academy as part of an intensive 5-month training programme for 11 newly recruited Assistant Directors. This specific training took place on the final week of their intensive programme, after which they undertake a one-month practical job placement followed by graduation and posting to an operational role in the FIA, including immigration posts at border crossing points. Assistant Directors are mid-management officers in the FIA, responsible for the day-to-day management of immigration shifts and operations at borders.
The Document Security portion of the workshop was delivered by two FIA Master trainers, successful graduates of ICMPD’s previous Document Security programme delivered between September 2020 – 2021. The master trainers were supported by an international Senior Document Security Expert. The basic-level document security training consisted of interactive sessions on substrates, printing techniques, additional security features and technical and tactical profiling during which FIA Additional Directors had an opportunity to examine genuine and specimen documents.
The final two days of the workshop were focused on theoretical topics aimed to prepare the Additional Directors for their new management role at borders, including the Integrated Border Management concept, emerging threats and risks, technologies in border management, countering cross-border crime, as well as soft-leadership skills such as planning, negotiation, conflict resolution and change management.
The fraudulent use of identity and travel documents represents a threat to the security of countries and their citizens, the economy, and global commerce, as it facilitates a wide range of cross border crimes and terrorism.
The European Union funded IBM Silk Routes project aims to support the countries of the Silk Routes region, including Pakistan, to improve their capacity to effectively and efficiently manage their national borders in line with EU and international good practice.
The Integrated Border Management (IBM) in the Silk Routes Countries project is funded by the European Union and implemented by ICMPD.
For more information about IBM in the Silk Routes Countries, please visit: https://www.budapestprocess.org/#ibm-silk
