KEY POINTS
- Lahore and Karachi reported the highest number of offloaded travellers.
- Most denied boarding due to incomplete or unverified documentation.
- Illegal migration to Europe declined from 8,000 to 4,000 cases.
- 450 people arrested attempting illegal entry into Iran recently.
- 180 corrupt FIA officials dismissed; airports now linked to NADRA.
- Immigration counters monitored via CCTV and AI for suspicious activities.
- Over 500,000 Pakistanis travelled to Saudi Arabia this year.
ISLAMABAD: More than 51,000 passengers have been offloaded from Pakistani airports so far this year, officials told the National Assembly Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Rights on Wednesday.
The committee, chaired by Agha Rafiullah, was briefed on the latest measures to curb illegal migration and enforce travel regulations.
Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Director General Riffat Mukhtar Raja explained that most offloaded passengers were stopped due to insufficient or unverified documentation, despite some possessing valid travel papers.
He said many travellers relied on agents who provided incomplete or incorrect information regarding educational programmes, employment, or overseas assignments.
Many individuals attempting to travel on visit, Umrah, or work visas were denied boarding after failing document verification or data authentication,” Raja noted.
Some passengers tried to use Umrah visas as a pretext to reach Europe, leading authorities to intervene.
The committee was also informed that 24,000 Pakistanis were deported from Saudi Arabia this year for begging, while Dubai deported 6,000, and Azerbaijan 2,500.
Raja added that illegal attempts to migrate to Europe have declined, with 4,000 reported cases this year compared to 8,000 last year.
Meanwhile, 450 people were arrested attempting to enter Iran illegally over the past three months. Several Bangladeshi nationals were also intercepted while trying to travel to Europe via Pakistan.
Authorities highlighted several security and procedural reforms, noting that 180 FIA officials involved in corruption have been dismissed, and all major airports are now linked to NADRA’s online database. Immigration counters are now monitored with CCTV cameras and artificial intelligence, allowing early detection of suspicious cases. Additionally, deportations for fake documents numbered 287 last year and 170 this year.
These steps have helped improve Pakistan’s passport ranking from 118 to 92 globally, he said.
Secretary of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, said Saudi Arabia’s $1 trillion Vision 2030 investments present new employment opportunities, noting that more than 500,000 Pakistanis have travelled there this year.
Committee members also raised concerns over the functioning of the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission and questioned the assignment of drivers to community welfare attachés in Europe.
Earlier this month, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi reiterated that no traveller with complete and legitimate documents would be prevented from boarding, emphasising that restrictions applied only to those with fraudulent or incomplete papers.
Authorities also cautioned against misinformation on social media regarding passenger offloading, stressing that the measures are part of ongoing efforts to protect Pakistani citizens abroad and uphold the country’s reputation.
