More than 74,000 passengers offloaded at Pakistani airports over three years

More than 74,000 people intending to travel abroad were prevented from boarding flights at Pakistani airports over the past three years, according to official documents released by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). The figures highlight the extensive screening measures carried out by immigration authorities and other government agencies to ensure compliance with travel regulations and prevent illegal migration.

According to the documents, a total of 74,474 passengers were offloaded between 2023 and 2026. Of these, 39,786 individuals were stopped by the FIA, while the remaining 34,688 passengers were offloaded by various other government agencies, institutions, or airlines for different reasons.

The data shows that airlines themselves prevented 30,021 passengers from travelling after identifying issues with their travel documents or itineraries. In addition, 3,617 individuals voluntarily decided not to continue with their travel after reaching the airport due to personal reasons or issues discovered before departure.

The documents further reveal that 40 passengers were stopped by agencies including Pakistan Customs, the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), and the Airport Security Force (ASF) during security and immigration checks.

The FIA’s records indicate that the most common reason for offloading passengers was the absence of required travel documents. A total of 20,408 individuals were stopped because they failed to produce the necessary documentation needed to travel internationally.

Another 12,673 passengers were offloaded because immigration officials considered them to have a low-profile background or found their travel plans suspicious. According to the documents, authorities determined that these individuals were unable to provide satisfactory explanations regarding the purpose of their travel, raising concerns about possible illegal immigration or misuse of visas.

The report also states that 3,450 individuals were prevented from leaving the country because their names appeared on official stop lists maintained by law enforcement or judicial authorities. Such lists generally include individuals facing legal proceedings, investigations, or travel restrictions imposed by competent authorities.

Incorrect travel routes also contributed to a number of offloading cases. According to the FIA, 505 passengers were denied permission to board because their planned travel routes did not match the conditions of their visas or appeared inconsistent with their declared travel purpose.

Document fraud remained another significant concern. Officials stopped 281 passengers after detecting forged or fraudulent travel documents during immigration checks at various airports across the country.

In addition, 176 individuals were offloaded because immigration authorities found their travel history unsatisfactory or inconsistent with their declared travel intentions. Officials considered their previous travel records insufficient to support their stated reasons for leaving the country.

The FIA also reported that 145 passengers were temporarily stopped to allow authorities additional time to verify the authenticity of their travel documents and supporting records before any decision regarding their departure could be made.

Age-related concerns also resulted in travel restrictions. According to the documents, 258 individuals were offloaded because they were underage or did not meet the legal requirements for international travel without proper documentation or authorization.

Another 24 passengers were prevented from travelling after authorities determined they intended to seek employment abroad while holding only visit visas. Immigration officials noted that travelling on a visit visa for employment purposes violates immigration regulations and can expose travellers to exploitation or legal complications in destination countries.

The latest figures underline the FIA’s continued efforts to strengthen immigration controls, prevent illegal migration, combat document fraud, and ensure that Pakistani citizens comply with international travel requirements before departing the country.