Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said that no one will be allowed to damage Pakistan’s name under any circumstances.
Chairing a meeting, the interior minister reviewed the performance of the FIA’s Immigration Wing and the ongoing campaign against illegal immigration and human trafficking.
The meeting also discussed actions against professional beggar mafias.
Mohsin Naqvi directed the concerned authorities to take the last indiscriminate and strict action against mafias involved in illegal immigration.
He said that those involved in human smuggling deserve no leniency and instructed officials to make the immigration checking system at airports more effective, ensuring strict screening of travel documents.
Unofficial FIA rule bars hundreds of Pakistani workers from travelling abroad
Earlier, it was reported that Pakistani nationals going abroad for work are now facing new difficulties as the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) implemented a new rule, under which government verification is mandatory before travelling.
According to the unofficially implemented rule, which has not yet been officially announced, everyone going abroad for work will have to submit an affidavit, attested by the signature of a government officer of grade 18 or 19.
The affidavit must state that the traveller will work legally in the destination country and will not attempt to travel illegally to Europe, according to media reports.
The rule caused severe chaos at major airports, including Lahore, where hundreds of passengers, despite having valid tickets and complete documents, were prevented from boarding flights.
Officials say the move follows previous cases in which workers set off for countries like Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain or Thailand but later tried to reach Europe via Libya or Baku.
FIA immigration teams offloaded around 150 passengers in just one week. A Lahore airport official confirmed that 26 people had been caught trying to enter Europe illegally despite having legal visas earlier.
According to officials, the rule is aimed at curbing human trafficking and illegal migration, but passengers say the move is unfair and disturbing.
Also read: Unofficial FIA rule bars hundreds of Pakistani workers from travelling abroad
