Denmark’s Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Peter Emil Nielsen visited the Second Line Border Control Office at Sialkot International Airport as part of the Rights Based Border Management in Silk Route Countries project, one of six international airports in Pakistan now benefiting from the Denmark-funded initiative. The visit highlights hands-on efforts to improve border control and operational readiness at a key regional gateway.
Selected at the request of the Ministry of Interior and the Federal Investigation Agency, Sialkot International Airport is unique as Pakistan’s only privately owned international airport managed by the local business community. With eight airlines operating around 21 daily flights, the airport plays a vital role in connecting local exporters and travelers to global markets while relying on strengthened border control to support legitimate trade and movement.
Implemented by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development in partnership with the FIA, the project has equipped frontline officers with practical tools to detect forged documents, identify fraud and enhance risk analysis. Training, technological support and procedural improvements were combined to ensure border control measures remain effective while respecting individual rights.
As the programme concludes, its legacy continues through lasting infrastructure upgrades and embedded institutional capacity across Pakistan’s major international airports. The improvements at Sialkot demonstrate how targeted investment and collaboration can raise border control standards that support both security and sustainable connectivity for local communities and businesses.
