• Minister says panel will investigate incidents of travellers with valid documents turned away at airports
• Body to propose safe migration measures by January-end

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the formation of a committee to investigate the frequent offloading of passengers from international flights, an issue that has affected numerous travellers despite them holding valid documents, a federal minister said on Monday.

Over the past few months, numerous incidents have been reported of travellers being offloaded from flights at various airports, despite possessing valid travel documents.

The actions came after a crackdown was launched on migrant smuggling following the Greece boat tragedy in 2024, one which claimed several Pakistani lives.

Speaking at an event, Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik Hussain said PM Shehbaz took notice and formed a “special committee” to look into the issue of offloading passengers at airports and to ensure safe migration.

“Recently, despite having complete documentation, some passengers have still been offloaded,” the minister said. “People who held valid visas were offloaded as well.”

The committee will prepare “recommendations regarding the safe migration of people,” the minister was quoted as saying. He detailed that a meeting of the committee is expected this week.

“By the end of January, we will prepare proposals to address these issues, “ he shared, stressing that safe migration was a “fundamental right”.

The issue has drawn attention from multiple government bodies, including the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), which is responsible for immigration control.

In November, FIA Director General Riffat Mukhtar said the agency was investigating reports of workers being offloaded at Lahore and Karachi airports.

“If any FIA officials are found involved, strict action will be taken against them,” Mr Mukhtar said during a meeting chaired by Hussain.

The FIA has maintained that its actions are justified. In a Nov 27 clarification, the agency stated that passengers were only denied boarding if they lacked valid documents or were suspected of working with migrant smugglers.

The agency also initiated legal action against individuals it accused of spreading “fabricated information on social media regarding the offloading of passengers,” aimed at damaging its reputation.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has also weighed in, stating after a visit to the Islamabad airport last month that no passenger with “genuine and complete documents” should be prevented from travelling.

He ordered a “strict crackdown against visa agents exploiting innocent people”.

Reports indicate the problem is persistent and widespread. In one of the earlier instance reported in February, at least 36 passengers were offloaded from various international flights at Sialkot International Airport.

The offloaded passengers and a separate group of deportees largely hailed from the districts of Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, and Mandi Bahauddin. Most were destined for Saudi Arabia, the UK, Oman, Spain, and Bahrain.

Immigration authorities have imposed stricter scrutiny on travellers heading to at least 15 countries, particularly affecting genuine travellers such as students and religious pilgrims.

Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2025