Why Thousands of Pakistanis Are Being Stopped from Flying Abroad?

The federal government has launched a formal investigation into the increasing number of travellers being offloaded from international flights at Pakistani airports, following mounting public complaints and media scrutiny. 

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken notice of the issue and approved the formation of a high-level committee tasked with examining why passengers with apparently valid travel documents are being stopped at departure points.

The move comes amid growing frustration among students, overseas workers, pilgrims, and families who say they are facing uncertainty and humiliation at airports, often after spending significant amounts of money on visas, tickets, and accommodation abroad.

Rising Complaints from International Airports

Reports of offloading have surfaced from all major international airports, including Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi. Travellers have shared accounts of being denied boarding at the last moment, sometimes after completing airline check-in and security clearance.

In several cases, families were separated, flights were missed, and onward travel plans collapsed without clear explanations. Social media platforms have amplified these complaints, putting pressure on the government to clarify whether the offloading is policy-driven, discretionary, or a result of administrative failures.

Why Travellers Are Being Stopped from Flying

Officials maintain that offloading decisions are primarily linked to concerns over documentation, intent of travel, and potential misuse of visas.

Immigration authorities say passengers are questioned to verify whether their stated purpose of travel matches their visa category, financial capacity, and travel history.

Students unable to explain their academic plans, workers lacking employer verification, and travellers with vague accommodation details are often flagged for further scrutiny. 

Authorities argue that such checks are necessary to prevent illegal overstays and undocumented employment abroad.

Sharp Increase in Offloaded Passengers in 2025

The scale of offloading has grown sharply in 2025. According to figures shared with parliamentary committees, more than 66,000 passengers have been stopped from boarding international flights this year, nearly double last year’s numbers. 

A significant majority were offloaded due to incomplete, unverifiable, or suspicious documentation.

These figures have intensified debate over whether the system is functioning as a targeted enforcement tool or whether it is disproportionately affecting genuine travellers.

Crackdown After Illegal Migration Tragedies

Government officials link the stricter screening to Pakistan’s broader crackdown on illegal migration following several deadly incidents involving human smuggling routes. 

High-profile tragedies, including boat accidents involving Pakistani nationals, prompted authorities to tighten exit controls to prevent citizens from being exploited by trafficking networks.

The Federal Investigation Agency has been instructed to act more aggressively against agents who misuse visit, student, or pilgrimage visas as cover for illegal migration.

Role of the FIA and Immigration Authorities

The FIA plays a central role in passenger screening at airports, working alongside immigration officials. The agency says it relies on profiling techniques, travel histories, and intelligence inputs to identify high-risk cases.

However, critics argue that this profiling often relies on subjective judgments rather than written criteria, leaving travellers uncertain about what documentation is considered sufficient. The lack of a formal appeal process at airports has further added to passenger anxiety.

Lack of Transparency and Discretionary Decisions

One of the main concerns raised by affected travellers is the absence of clear, publicly available guidelines. Many passengers say they were not told exactly why they were being offloaded, nor were they given written reasons or timelines for review.

Legal experts note that discretionary decision-making without documented justification creates room for inconsistency and potential abuse, even if the intent is border security.

Legal and Human Rights Concerns

Human rights advocates have raised questions about whether arbitrary offloading violates the constitutional right to travel. Several petitions have been filed in courts, arguing that citizens cannot be prevented from leaving the country without lawful grounds and due process.

Lawyers representing offloaded passengers say that suspicion alone should not override valid visas issued by foreign governments.

Government Assurances to Legitimate Travellers

In response to criticism, senior government officials have publicly assured citizens that travellers with complete and valid documentation should not be stopped. 

The interior minister has instructed immigration staff to avoid unnecessary harassment and to facilitate genuine passengers.

Authorities have also acknowledged the role of fraudulent travel agents and urged citizens to verify their documents independently before travelling.

Misinformation and Official Clarifications

The FIA has rejected claims of blanket travel bans or targeted restrictions on specific regions or groups. Officials say airports are operating normally and that offloading decisions are case-specific.

At the same time, the agency has warned against spreading unverified claims online, stating that misinformation further undermines public trust.

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Economic and Social Impact on Overseas Travel

The consequences of offloading extend beyond individual inconvenience.

Missed flights result in financial losses, cancelled admissions, delayed employment, and reputational damage for Pakistan’s workforce abroad.

Given the country’s reliance on overseas remittances, prolonged uncertainty around travel can have broader economic implications.

What the Government Committee Is Expected to Recommend

The newly formed committee, comprising representatives from the FIA, NADRA, foreign affairs, and IT bodies, is expected to submit recommendations within weeks. 

These may include clearer eligibility criteria, better inter-agency data sharing, and technology-driven verification systems to reduce human discretion.

Balancing Border Security with the Right to Travel

As the investigation proceeds, the central challenge remains balancing national security concerns with citizens’ right to travel freely. 

The outcome of this review will likely shape how Pakistan manages international departures in the future and whether public confidence in the system can be restored.