- In 2023, 35,270 passengers were unloaded: iHome Office.
- The number of people disembarked increased to 39,214 in 2024, it adds.
- 45,356 passengers disembarked in 2025 for technical reasons.
Following tighter screening measures at airports and increasing reports of passenger offloading, the Home Office has revealed that more than 73,000 passengers were offloaded during 2025.
“In 2023 a total of 35,270 passengers were unloaded, in 2024 39,214 and in 2025 73,358,” reads the Ministry of the Interior’s response to a question in the Senate, adding that during the three-year period 147,842 passengers were unloaded.
The ministry’s presentation comes against the backdrop of deportation of thousands of Pakistanis from various countries for begging, while tens of thousands were also disembarked at airports for alleged illegal travel attempts, a National Assembly committee was told in December 2025.
Last month, Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi ordered relevant authorities to implement strict checks on passengers’ travel documents at all airports in the country to curb illegal immigration.
Directing the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to continue strict and impartial action against the mafia involved in illegal immigration, he directed the agency to ensure effective implementation of immigration laws and strengthen airport immigration systems.
He also called for strict control of travelers’ documents at all airports to avoid illegal activities.
Meanwhile, explaining the reasons for unloading passengers, the Ministry of Interior informed the Senate that only those passengers whose behavior indicates possible illegal intentions are unloaded.
Of the total 73,358 passengers disembarked in 2025, 45,356 were disembarked for technical reasons, including flight cancellations, passenger refusal to travel, technical failures on aircraft, bad weather, flight delays and disembarkations by airlines.
Providing data on illegal immigration attempts, the ministry said that 861 suspects carrying false documents were identified at airports in the past three years.
According to the report, 303 suspects were deported with false documents, 417 cases were registered, 557 people were arrested and 206 were convicted.
The ministry further stated that 153 additional cases related to false documents and deportations were registered, 181 suspects were arrested and 93 were convicted.
He also noted that 23 departmental investigations are being carried out against FIA employees for cases of false documents, of which 17 have already been concluded.
Beggar problem
The ministry also shared details of beggars who were landed and deported in the last two years.
He said 507 beggars were discharged in 2024 and 90 in 2025, while 49 inquiries and 32 first information reports (FIRs) were registered in connection with beggars discharged in 2024.
Of those landed in 2024, 59 beggars and 17 agents were arrested and 19 convicted.
Meanwhile, in 2025, 43 investigations were launched on beggars being discharged, 37 FIRs were registered and 36 beggars were arrested, while one was convicted.
The ministry further said that 4,850 beggars were deported in 2024, while the number decreased to 1,187 in 2025.
He added that 105 investigations and 48 FIRs were registered against deported beggars in 2024.
During the same year, 91 deported beggars and two agents were arrested, while 12 were convicted.
In 2025, the ministry said, 354 investigations were launched and 201 FIRs registered, leading to the arrest of 589 beggars and one constable, of whom 27 were convicted.
