Pakistan’s Silent Airport Ban: Valid Visas, Denied Journeys

• 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.