Minister asks immigration authorities not to offload Pakistanis traveling with valid documents

• The development comes after reports of arbitrary offloading of passengers at various airports despite carrying valid travel documents
• The reports coincided with Islamabad’s crackdown on illegal immigration, following arrest of several passengers with forged documents

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has asked immigration authorities not to bar any Pakistani passenger traveling abroad with valid documents, Pakistani state media reported on Saturday.

The development comes after reports about passengers complaining of arbitrary offloading at various Pakistani airports despite carrying valid travel documents, drawing public ire on social media platforms.

These reports coincided with Islamabad’s crackdown on illegal immigration, which gained significant attention in Pakistan after the arrest of several Pakistani and foreign nationals at airports with forged documents in recent years.

Naqvi paid an unannounced visit to Islamabad airport on Saturday, where he reviewed immigration procedures and interacted with passengers departing for foreign destinations, the state-run APP news agency reported.

“No passenger carrying complete and valid travel documents should be stopped from traveling,” he was quoted as saying.

In recent years, Pakistan has also cracked down on individuals accused of exploiting visas to solicit money in Saudi Arabia, a practice officials warned was damaging the country’s image and could affect genuine visa-seekers, including religious pilgrims.

Naqvi said that those attempting to travel on fake or unverified documents damage Pakistan’s reputation abroad, which could not be allowed under any circumstances.

The interior minister directed an immediate crackdown on visa agents involved in fraudulent activities, warning that no leniency would be shown to those exploiting citizens under the guise of overseas employment.

“Agents driven by greed are playing with the futures of innocent people and tarnishing the country’s image,” he added.