Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken note of reports emerging about the offloading of passengers traveling abroad and a committee has been formed to investigate the matter.
The committee is headed by Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik and includes Federal Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja and Minister of State for Overseas Pakistanis Muhammad Awn Chaudhry.
The heads of the Pakistan Digital Authority and the National Information Technology Board are also part of the panel. Overseas Pakistan Secretary, IT Secretary and Home Additional Secretary will also be members.
Representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NADRA and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) will participate in the committee. The committee will propose a new mechanism regarding people traveling abroad. It will also recommend harmonizing the system related to protective seals at the international level.
The committee is expected to present its report to the prime minister within three weeks.
Read: Travelers with complete papers are prevented from flying abroad
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In recent months, multiple reports have emerged accusing the FIA of unloading passengers at various airports across the country, despite possessing valid travel documents. Visa holders for Greece, Italy, Poland and Baku are prevented from traveling to these countries.
Hundreds of Pakistanis, despite having full visas and travel documents, are forced to repeatedly visit the offices of the Protector of Emigrants, but their documents are not “secured” for travel.
Visitors are told that “superior orders” prohibit the protection of travel documents of travelers traveling abroad to work as agricultural experts, drivers or cleaners. Previously, people traveling to perform Umrah or work in Dubai were blocked on suspicion.
Read more: The FIA investigates the dismissal of workers at airports
The FIA has dismissed such claims as mere rumours. Captain (retd) Ali Zia, FIA Zone Director in Lahore, issued a detailed clarification in a video message in late November. According to him, certain elements use AI-generated videos and images to give the impression that passengers are being dropped off for no reason.
However, testimonies suggest that these claims may be more than “mere rumors.”
Now, even those who have paid visa fees in dollars, pounds or euros are prevented from traveling to Europe. There are no written orders, only verbal instructions, and all Protectora offices nationwide follow them.
