In a significant move to curb illegal migration and protect its international reputation, the Pakistan government has imposed a strict ban on its citizens travelling abroad with incomplete documents. The authorities have also explicitly prohibited professional beggars from undertaking overseas journeys.
Crackdown at Airports After International Embarrassment
The decision comes after Pakistan faced considerable embarrassment overseas due to numerous incidents involving its nationals. These incidents included illegal begging, violations of visa conditions, and fraudulent use of travel documents in foreign countries. As a result, reports emerged of Pakistani passengers being offloaded at various airports across the nation.
Pakistan's Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, made the announcement during a visit to the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore. He was accompanied by the Minister of State for Interior, Talal Chaudhry. "Professional beggars and people travelling with incomplete documents will not be allowed to go abroad," Naqvi stated firmly.
He issued a stern warning to those tarnishing the country's image, emphasizing that the dignity of Pakistan and the facilitation of legitimate passengers are top priorities. The minister warned of strict action against culprits who bring a bad name to the nation.
Scale of the Problem and Recent Triggers
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) of Pakistan revealed staggering numbers this week. It reported that more than 66,000 passengers have been offloaded from Pakistani airports this year alone over suspicions of irregular travel. Furthermore, tens of thousands of Pakistani nationals have been deported from Gulf states and other countries amid a global crackdown on illegal migration.
Authorities intensified their efforts following a tragic incident in 2023. Hundreds of people, including Pakistanis, died when an overcrowded fishing vessel sank off the Greek coast while attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea. This disaster sparked global outrage and forced a closer examination of human smuggling networks.
Misuse of Religious Visas and Government Response
A particularly troubling trend has been the misuse of religious visas. Several cases have recently been reported in Saudi Arabia where Pakistani citizens exploited their Umrah visas to beg for money. This misuse of a sacred pilgrimage visa has added urgency to the government's crackdown.
In response to the growing crisis, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formed a high-level committee earlier this month. Led by the federal minister for overseas Pakistanis, the committee's mandate is to streamline immigration procedures and investigate cases of passengers being offloaded arbitrarily.
During a high-level meeting on Saturday focused on curbing human smuggling, officials noted a positive development: illegal migration to Europe from Pakistan has fallen by 47% following intensified screening at departure points. However, PM Sharif cautioned that while action against illegal travellers is necessary, "special care must be taken to ensure that passengers with valid documents are not affected."
The visit by ministers Naqvi and Chaudhry to Lahore's airport included inspections of immigration counters and a review of the entire departure process, signaling a hands-on approach from the top leadership to enforce the new directives.
