FIA explains reasons behind offloading at domestic airports

Recently, social media has been flooded with reports of citizens being offloaded while traveling abroad, even those holding work, visit, or student visas. The offloading has been attributed to incomplete profiles, with affected travelers including Umrah pilgrims, work visa holders, and visitors on tourist or family visit visas.

Last month, 850 passengers were offloaded from Jinnah international airport. It was doubted that these people might be travelling for begging, smuggling or might get trapped in human trafficking.

FIA authorities claim that passengers are being offloaded to prevent human trafficking, including cases where beggars attempt to travel abroad for begging or visit visa holders try to transit through other countries, risking being trapped or harmed by traffickers.

A significant number of work visa holders were offloaded because their visas were not properly protected, which is a necessary requirement for travel. Similarly, students were denied travel due to holding visas from universities that do not exist on the ground or lacking proper documentation.

FIA Director Lahore, Ali Zia, clarified that citizens holding valid visas, with proper documentation and legitimate reasons for travel, will not be stopped from leaving the country. He explained that the primary reason passengers are being offloaded is that some countries have halted visa issuance for Pakistanis due to concerns over involvement in criminal activities.

However, many travelers who were recently denied boarding, including students and those traveling for work, have complained that they were offloaded despite having proper documentation.

He further stated that travelers with work visas who lack proper documentation, or whose visa status and visa profile status do not align, are at risk of being offloaded. Cases include individuals not carrying valid documents, holding X-point visas, or transiting through other countries illegally, which often leads to complications and embarrassment for Pakistan.

For instance, one Umrah pilgrim, who was transiting through another country, was arrested and sent back to Pakistan due to such issues. He added.

Ali Zia also stated that identifying such travelers is relatively straightforward, as many of them travel frequently and their records are available. He gave an example: if a woman arrives with a three-month Umrah visa and has a history of overstaying during a previous trip, she will likely be offloaded, as it indicates she may be going abroad to beg.

Similarly, if a traveler presents a work visa for example, claiming a company has hired them as a transport driver, and upon investigation cannot provide details about the company, it suggests that the company does not exist and the traveler may have other intentions.