- 35,270 passengers were unloaded in 2023: ithe Ministry of the Interior.
- The number of those relieved increased to 39,214 in 2024, it adds.
- 45,356 passengers disembarked in 2025 for technical reasons.
In the wake of tougher screening measures at airports and increasing reports of offloading passengers, the Home Office has revealed that more than 73,000 passengers were offloaded during 2025.
“A total of 35,270 passengers were offloaded in 2023, 39,214 in 2024 and 73,358 in 2025,” read the Home Office’s response to a Senate question, adding that 147,842 passengers were offloaded over the three-year period.
The ministry’s submission comes against the backdrop of thousands of Pakistanis being deported from various countries for begging, while tens of thousands were also unloaded at airports due to suspected illegal travel attempts, a National Assembly committee was informed in December 2025.
Last month, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi directed the relevant authorities to enforce strict screening of passengers’ travel documents at all airports across the country to curb illegal immigration.
He directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to continue strict and impartial efforts against the mafia involved in illegal immigration, and he ordered the agency to ensure effective implementation of immigration laws and strengthen airport immigration systems.
He also called for strict scrutiny of travelers’ documents at all airports to prevent illegal activities.
Meanwhile, to explain the reasons why passengers were relieved, the Ministry of Interior informed the Senate that only those passengers are relieved whose behavior indicates possible illegal intentions.
Of the total 73,358 passengers offloaded in 2025, 45,356 were offloaded for technical reasons, including flight cancellations, passenger refusal to travel, technical faults in aircraft, bad weather, flight delays and offloading by airlines.
Providing data on illegal immigration attempts, the ministry said 861 suspects with false documents were identified at airports over the past three years.
It said 303 suspects were deported on false documents, 417 cases were registered, 557 people were arrested and 206 were convicted.
The ministry also stated that a further 153 cases were registered in connection with false documents and deportations, 181 suspects were arrested and 93 were convicted.
It also noted that 23 departmental investigations are underway against FIA employees in fake document cases, of which 17 have been concluded.
Beggar’s question
The ministry also shared details of beggars unloaded and deported over the past two years.
It said 507 beggars were unloaded in 2024 and 90 in 2025, while 49 inquiries and 32 first information reports (FIRs) were registered in connection with beggars unloaded in 2024.
Of those unloaded in 2024, 59 beggars and 17 agents were arrested and 19 were convicted.
Meanwhile, in 2025, 43 investigations were initiated against beggars who were relieved, 37 FIRs were registered and 36 beggars were arrested while one was convicted.
The ministry further said that 4,850 beggars were deported in 2024, while the number dropped to 1,187 in 2025.
It added that 105 inquiries and 48 FIRs were registered against beggars who were deported in 2024.
During the same year, 91 deported beggars and two agents were arrested, while 12 were convicted.
In 2025, the ministry said, 354 investigations were initiated and 201 FIRs were registered, leading to the arrest of 589 beggars and one agent, of whom 27 were convicted.
