Pakistani travellers with valid visas being quietly offloaded at airports in ‘silent ban’

December 2, 2025

Following a December 2024 boat tragedy that killed over 300 Pakistanis attempting to reach Europe illegally, Pakistani authorities have implemented an aggressive airport screening program that has resulted in thousands of legitimate travelers being denied boarding at the last minute. The Federal Investigation Agency, responding to both domestic pressure and demands from Gulf countries, has been stopping passengers with valid visas and documents through a practice called "offloading," with decisions often based on subjective factors like appearance, home district, and travel history rather than concrete evidence. The crackdown disproportionately affects residents of Punjab's Gujrat and Sialkot regions, areas known for legal labor migration that contribute billions in remittances to Pakistan's economy.

Who is affected

Pakistani citizens with valid visas and travel documents attempting international travel
Families traveling for Umrah pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia
Workers with job contracts in Gulf countries
Small traders conducting international business
Residents of Gujrat, Sialkot, Mandi Bahauddin, and Narowal districts in Punjab Province
First-time international travelers
Young men from specific cities in Punjab
Businessmen from the Gujrat Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Pakistani overseas workers who sent nearly USD 30 billion in remittances in 2024 and 2025
Nine men specifically mentioned who were removed from a Djibouti flight on November 23, 2025

What action is being taken

Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) immigration officers are stopping passengers at airports in Lahore, Sialkot, Islamabad, and Karachi before boarding
Officials are conducting intense scrutiny and interrogations of travelers at immigration counters
Passengers are being removed from flights after check-in and security clearance
Courts in Lahore and Sindh are hearing petitions challenging offloading without due process
The Gujrat Chamber of Commerce and Industry is raising concerns about profiling of businessmen

Why it matters

This situation represents a fundamental erosion of constitutional rights, specifically Article 15 of Pakistan's Constitution guaranteeing citizens the right to leave the country. The policy threatens Pakistan's economic lifeline, as overseas workers contribute approximately USD 30 billion annually in remittances that support countless households. The practice undermines the principle of due process by treating suspicion as guilt without judicial review, written explanations, or appeal mechanisms. Beyond individual hardship—including devastating financial losses for families who have sold land or taken loans to fund travel—the crackdown damages public trust in state institutions and appears to be profiling entire communities based on geography rather than evidence. The lack of transparency and accountability creates opportunities for corruption while failing to achieve its stated goal of reducing human trafficking.

What's next

Officials Chaudhry Salik Hussain and FIA Director General Riffat Mukhtar have promised new guidelines to stop abuse of power
Courts will continue hearing constitutional petitions challenging the offloading practice
Lawyers are arguing for reforms requiring written explanations for denied boarding and swift appeal mechanisms

Read full article from source: Global Voices