- Since early 2025, Pakistani immigration authorities have been "offloading" thousands of passengers with valid visas at airports without formal explanation.
- The practice particularly targets residents from the Gujrat and Sialkot regions, often relying on profiling rather than concrete evidence.
- While officials cite anti-human trafficking efforts following the 2024 Greece boat tragedy, critics argue the measures violate constitutional rights and lack transparency.
Origins of the Crackdown
- The policy followed the December 2024 Greece boat disaster, which killed over 300 Pakistanis and prompted international pressure.
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to intercept potential illegal migrants at departure points.
- Gulf nations, particularly the UAE, also increased pressure on Pakistan to curb the flow of undocumented workers.
Impact on Legitimate Travellers
- Offloading occurs after passengers have passed security and reached immigration, causing severe financial losses for workers, traders, and pilgrims.
- Profiling criteria include:
- Residency in areas known for legal labor migration (Gujrat, Sialkot, Mandi Bahauddin, Narowal).
- First-time travel status.
- Appearance (e.g., simple clothing vs. business attire).
- Indirect travel routes.
- Even citizens with existing civil cases or old First Information Reports (FIRs) are barred from travel, often with no legal recourse.
Consequences and Criticism
- Critics argue the crackdown serves only to disrupt legal migration while failing to stop traffickers, who have shifted to land routes through Balochistan or sea routes.
- The practice undermines Article 15 of the Pakistani Constitution, which guarantees the right to travel.
- Legal petitions are pending in Lahore and Sindh high courts to challenge the lack of due process in offloading decisions.
- Overseas Pakistani workers contribute nearly USD 30 billion annually in remittances; however, current policies subject them to arbitrary scrutiny rather than targeted intelligence-led policing.