Interior Minister Orders Strict Screening of Travel Documents at Airports

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN | CHATZYR.NET

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Friday ordered strict screening of travel documents at airports while chairing a high-level meeting to review the performance of the Immigration Wing of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

The meeting focused on the government’s ongoing campaign against illegal immigration, human smuggling networks, and professional beggar mafias, with officials presenting updates on enforcement actions and airport screening procedures.

Crackdown on Illegal Immigration and Human Smuggling

The interior minister directed authorities to continue relentless and uncompromising action against individuals and groups involved in human smuggling, stressing that no leniency would be shown.

“Elements involved in human smuggling do not deserve any leniency. No one will be allowed to tarnish Pakistan’s image,” Naqvi said.

He instructed the FIA to effectively implement immigration laws and further improve the efficiency of immigration checks at airports, ensuring stronger coordination among relevant agencies.

Concerns Over Passenger Offloading

The directive comes amid public complaints about arbitrary offloading of passengers despite valid travel documents. Earlier in December, Naqvi had stated that 50 to 70 passengers were being offloaded daily to protect the country’s passport credibility.

However, official data later revealed that the actual number of offloaded passengers in 2025 reached nearly 66,000, almost three times higher than earlier estimates.

Assurance for Genuine Travelers

Addressing concerns that genuine travelers could face unnecessary hardship under the new screening measures, an official clarified that the interior minister had issued clear instructions that no passenger with complete and valid travel documents should be stopped.

The official added that strict screening, combined with a crackdown on fraudulent visa agents, aims to prevent the use of fake or unverified documents, which damage Pakistan’s reputation internationally.

Action Against Professional Beggar Mafia

Naqvi also ordered an effective crackdown on professional beggar mafias and their facilitators, directing law enforcement agencies to dismantle organized networks exploiting vulnerable individuals for profit.

Prime Minister Takes Notice

Following months of public criticism and social media outrage, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took notice of questionable offloading practices in mid-December and formed a special committee to review the issue and ensure safe and lawful migration.

Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik Hussain said the committee would present its recommendations by the end of January, emphasizing that safe migration is a fundamental right.

High-Level Attendance

The meeting was attended by the federal secretary interior, additional secretary interior, director general FIA, and FIA directors from Karachi and Lahore zones.

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