The Federal Investigation Agency has provided official clarification regarding recent passenger offloading incidents at Pakistani airports. Officials confirm these actions represent targeted measures against illegal immigration rather than arbitrary travel restrictions.
FIA Director for Gujranwala Zone Muhammad Bin Ashraf expressed concern about misleading AI-generated content and false narratives circulating on social media. He emphasised that these materials deliberately misrepresent airport operations to damage institutional reputation.
Ashraf urged citizens to verify information through official FIA channels and avoid sharing unverified content online. The clarification comes amid public concern about passengers being denied boarding despite possessing valid documentation.
The FIA has established a Risk Analysis Unit using internationally recognised software to identify potential illegal immigrants. This system develops risk profiles based on emerging migration patterns and trends in human smuggling operations.
Read: FIA Denies Passenger Offloading Rumors, Clarifies Airport Immigration Policy
According to Ashraf, the RAU primarily focuses on first-time visa holders and visitors from specific regions, including certain African, Central Asian, and Gulf countries. The system has significantly reduced migrant boat tragedies since its implementation.
Immigration records indicate approximately 90 million people travelled through Pakistani airports last year. The director noted only about 1% of passengers face offloading, translating to 200-300 individuals per 100,000 travellers monthly.
Passengers who believe they face unjust treatment can submit complaints through multiple channels: the FIA website, email to the Director-General, or the PM Portal. The agency also plans to launch a new immigration app for document verification before departure.
These measures aim to balance immigration control with passenger facilitation while combating human trafficking networks exploiting vulnerable travellers.
