Airport Security Force (ASF) personnel stand guard at the international arrivals of Islamabad International Airport. Photo: REUTERS
Over the past few months, several reports have surfaced accusing the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) of de-scanning passengers at various airports across the country, despite having valid travel documents. Visa holders for Greece, Italy, Poland and Baku are prevented from traveling to these countries. Going abroad has essentially become a luxury.
Even after spending thousands of euros and dollars in visa and travel document fees and obtaining visas for Greece, Italy, Poland and other European countries with great difficulty, hundreds of Pakistanis are barred from traveling by their own institutions based solely on verbal orders.
Hundreds of Pakistanis, despite having complete visas and travel documents, are forced to repeatedly visit the offices of the Protector of Emigrants, but their documents are not “protected” for travel.
Visitors are told that “orders from above” prohibit the protection of travel documents for travelers traveling abroad to get jobs as agricultural experts, drivers or cleaners. Earlier, people traveling for Umrah or jobs in Dubai were blocked due to suspicion.
Now even those who have paid visa fees in dollars, pounds or euros are being prevented from traveling to Europe. There are no written orders, only verbal instructions, and all patronage offices nationwide follow them.
Even those going to Baku are stopped. Their travel documents, employment certificates and all necessary documents are complete, yet they are denied permission to travel.
Read: FIA investigates unloading of workers at airports
The FIA has dismissed such claims as pure rumours. FIA Lahore Zone Director Captain (retd) Ali Zia in late November issued a detailed clarification in a video message. According to him, certain elements use AI-generated videos and images to give the impression that passengers are being relieved for no reason.
But testimony suggests these claims may be more than “just hearsay.”
Adnan Younus and Mehboob Sabir told Express News that their fathers had lived in Greece for twenty years and had even passed away there, yet their visas were sent to them and thousands of euros were spent on fees, but their documents are not being protected. Officials claim, “orders from above.” When they ask to see a copy or proof of the order, the officials refuse, and if questioned further, they are removed from the office.
Read more: FIA rejects social media buzz on overseas travel margins
Mahboob said: “I am responsible. I applied for a visa for employment on a Greek farm. I fulfilled all the requirements of the Greek embassy and received a one-year visa a month ago, but my documents have not been verified.”
Younus said he had applied for a domestic job and received a visa, but even then the protector’s office would not stamp his travel documents. He asked what was his fault – there is already unemployment in the country and after struggling to get a visa, this new policy has been imposed with no clarity on how to proceed. When he contacted officials at the Protector of Emigrants’ office, they said to ask the secretary and claimed they know nothing and are only following orders. There is nothing in writing that can be made available to applicants.
