Resolution calls for reforms as travelers with valid documents report being denied boarding
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan’s National Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution calling on the government to investigate the screening of passengers with valid travel documents at airports across the country.
The resolution was moved by Pakistan Peoples Party lawmaker Agha Rafiullah, who pointed to an increasing number of incidents where travelers were denied boarding despite having valid tickets and identification.
It urges the government to conduct a thorough investigation into such cases and introduce administrative reforms to ensure transparency, accountability and protection of passenger rights. The resolution also emphasizes the need for better communication so that decisions to deny travel are legal, properly documented and clearly communicated to passengers.
The Speaker of the National Assembly, Ayaz Sadiq, put the resolution to a vote and it was passed without opposition.
The resolution also calls for giving legal effect to decisions restricting passenger travel, underscoring the need for clear rules and standard procedures at airports.
Read: Prime Minister calls for tighter immigration controls, protections for legal travelers
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has already taken note of reports of passengers being offloaded while traveling abroad and ordered the formation of a committee to look into the matter.
Officials said the committee will include representatives from the Ministry of External Affairs, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). It has been tasked with proposing a new mechanism for overseas travel and recommending ways to harmonize the patron stamp system internationally.
Over the past few months, several reports have accused the FIA of offloading passengers at various airports despite having valid travel documents. According to these reports, visa holders for Greece, Italy, Poland and Baku have been prevented from traveling.
Hundreds of Pakistanis with full visas and documents have also complained that they have been forced to repeatedly visit the offices of the Protector of Emigrants, but their papers are not being “protected” for travel.
Read more: Government panel to investigate relief for travellers
Some travelers say they were told “orders from above” prevent the protection of documents for those traveling abroad for jobs such as farm workers, drivers or cleaners. In previous cases, passengers traveling for Umrah or jobs in Dubai were also blocked due to suspicion.
The FIA has dismissed the allegations as rumours. In late November, FIA Lahore Zone Director Captain (retd) Ali Zia issued a detailed clarification in a video message in which he said that certain elements were using AI-generated videos and images to create the impression that passengers were being relieved for no reason.
However, passenger statements suggest that the problem may be more widespread. Some travelers say even those who paid visa fees in dollars, pounds or euros are now being stopped from traveling to Europe with no written orders given and only verbal instructions being quoted by officials across protectorate offices across the country.
