Between the 20-24th November 2023, ICMPD organised a Study Visit for officials engaged in Risk Analysis from Pakistan border management authorities to EU Member States. The visit to Poland and the Czech Republic exposed officials to international good practices in risk analysis and border control from border agencies in both countries, as well as Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency.
The Federal Investigation Agency of Pakistan is in the process of establishing a national risk analysis system for enhancing the efficient management of Pakistan’s borders, with the support of the EU-funded RAPAK project. Risk Analysis allows the management of border agencies to effectively identify risks, maintain situational awareness, and better allocate resource and operations to address emerging challenges. The objective of the visit was to expose senior management of the FIA and Ministry of Interior to international practices and examples risk analysis systems applied practically within national and regional border management frameworks.
The visit began in Poland, where the Polish Border Guard (Straż Graniczna) presented an overview of the structure of the organisation, as well as an overview of their working realities at the borders in Poland, and a presentation on risk analysis by the Analyses and Situational Awareness Bureau. The delegation had the opportunity to have an open discussion with the representatives from the border guard, and to understand more about how risk analysis informs broader border management processes.
On the second day of the visit, the delegation visited the Terespol Border Crossing Point (BCP), at the Polish land border with Belarus. The visit included an extensive tour of the differing border crossing sections, including the railway crossing point. During the visit, the delegation was able to observe how the external EU borders function in practice. The Polish section of the visit was concluded with a visit to Frontex Headquarters, where the delegation met with the International Cooperation Unit. The Frontex Risk Analysis Unit gave an overview of their work across non-EU regions, leading to a discussion on how lessons from EU risk analysis could be applied to inspire development of a Pakistan risk analysis concept.
On the final day of the visit, the delegation visited the Czech Border Police in Prague, where they received presentations on the role and application of operational control centres and border protection systems, risk analysis data collection processes, and forensic document examination laboratories in border management.
The Study Visit was organised within the framework of the ‘Support to Federal Investigation Agency’s capacities for enhanced risk management – Pilot project (RAPAK)’, project, which aims to facilitate the development of FIA risk analysis capabilities, structures and processes which will contribute to increased efficiency and effectiveness of border control. The project is funded under the Migration Partnership Facility (MPF) by the European Union and the Ministry of Interior of Austria and implemented on behalf of Austria.
