Protector system under review as authorities investigate illegal travel facilitation
Security is being increased at all Pakistani airports. PHOTO: FILE
Suspected cooperation by an FIA official at Allama Iqbal International Airport has come to light after immigration officers intercepted passengers allegedly trying to travel abroad illegally, officials said. The discovery has prompted an investigation into how officials may have facilitated unauthorized departures.
The issue came to attention during routine immigration checks when officers stopped a passenger suspected of receiving help from an FIA official to circumvent travel rules.
During an unannounced two-hour visit on Sunday, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik Hussain observed the immigration process at the airport. They spoke to passengers on their way to international journeys and inquired about the process and ways to improve it.
Read: FIA investigates unloading of workers at airports
Naqvi warned that illegal travel will not be tolerated under any circumstances. He expressed concern over long queues at immigration counters and directed officials to speed up processing to prevent delays and inconvenience to travelers.
Hussain also inspected the “Protector” stickers on travel documents. He referred to a recent case where a young man was barred from traveling abroad for a driving job because he did not have a driver’s license. The Minister commissioned an investigation which emphasized that the Protector system must ensure verification of all job-related travel documents.
Naqvi summoned the staff who had stopped both the passengers and praised them and rewarded them from his own pocket. He also announced commendation certificates for the employees concerned.
Further, Naqvi stated that any Pakistani whose actions could bring dishonor to the country would be barred from international travel. He also ordered that strict legal action be taken against any official of the FIA who was found involved in aiding illegal travel.
