Pakistan Parliament Calls for Investigation into Offloading of Documented Airline Passengers

Pakistan National Assembly Unanimously Demands Probe Into Offloading of Documented Passengers

Islamabad, Pakistan – The Pakistan National Assembly (NA) on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution urging the government to investigate the offloading of documented passengers at airports across the country, amid growing public concern over travel disruptions.

The resolution, moved by PPP lawmaker Agha Rafiullah, highlights multiple incidents in recent months where travelers were denied boarding despite holding valid travel documents. Lawmakers stressed the need for transparency, accountability, and protection of passenger rights, and called for administrative reforms to ensure that all offloading decisions are lawful and properly documented.

Speaker of the National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq put the resolution to a vote, which passed without opposition, reflecting cross-party concern over the matter.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has previously linked the offloading incidents to a crackdown on migrant smuggling, targeting travelers with incomplete or unverified documentation. Public frustration reached a peak in mid-December, prompting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to establish a special committee to review the issue.

Earlier this month, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi ordered the FIA to implement strict document verification at airports, citing an average of 50–70 passengers offloaded daily to protect Pakistan’s passport reputation. However, official figures show that in 2025, the number of passengers denied boarding reached 66,000, nearly three times higher than earlier estimates.

FIA Director General Riffat Mukhtar Raja revealed that 51,000 of these passengers were stopped due to insufficient or unverified travel documents, underscoring the need for a more efficient, transparent, and passenger-friendly system.

The unanimous resolution is seen as a critical step toward safeguarding traveler rights, improving airport oversight, and ensuring accountability in the handling of documented passengers across Pakistan’s airports.

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