FIA director general says looking into reports of workers being offloaded at airports Azad News HD
FIA Investigating Reports of Workers Being Offloaded at Airports: DG Riffat Mukhtar
ISLAMABAD, Thursday:
The Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Riffat Mukhtar, announced on Thursday that the agency has initiated a comprehensive investigation into reports of Pakistani workers being offloaded at various airports across the country, following mounting concerns raised by overseas employment promoters, labour associations, and government officials.
The announcement was made during a high-level meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, at the ministry’s headquarters in Islamabad. The meeting, attended by senior officials from the FIA, Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BEOE), Ministry of Interior, and representatives of the Overseas Employment Promoters Association (OEPA), was aimed at addressing increasing complaints of skilled and semi-skilled workers being prevented from traveling abroad despite holding valid work visas and documentation.
Background of the Issue
Over the past several months, numerous reports have surfaced about Pakistani migrant workers being offloaded from international flights at the last moment. Many of these incidents involved individuals traveling to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, especially Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Qatar, under officially approved employment contracts.
These cases not only drew criticism from overseas employment stakeholders but also caused significant distress among families who had invested substantial resources to send their relatives abroad for better livelihoods. The issue gained momentum after a series of viral videos and social media posts showed groups of workers being escorted off planes at airports such as Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi, without clear explanations.
Sources within the Overseas Ministry said several of these cases appeared to involve confusion between immigration clearance procedures and the verification of employment documentation, prompting the government to step in and demand clarity from the relevant agencies.
The FIA’s Investigation
According to the official statement issued after the meeting, DG Riffat Mukhtar confirmed that the FIA is taking serious notice of the complaints and is committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in immigration operations.
“The Federal Investigation Agency has initiated a formal inquiry into all recent reports concerning the offloading of workers who possess valid travel and employment documents. We will ensure that no Pakistani worker faces unjustified obstruction in pursuing legitimate overseas employment,”
said DG Mukhtar.
He emphasized that internal review committees have already been formed at major international airports, including Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi. These committees are tasked with collecting evidence, reviewing CCTV footage, verifying immigration records, and recording statements from affected passengers and officers involved.
“Our goal is to determine whether these actions were based on legitimate security concerns or if there were procedural lapses or misconduct,”
Mukhtar added.
The FIA chief assured the Overseas Ministry that the investigation would be concluded on a priority basis, with recommendations to strengthen immigration protocols and prevent future occurrences.
Minister Salik Hussain’s Concerns
Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain expressed serious concern over the growing number of complaints and called for urgent corrective measures to protect the interests of overseas Pakistanis, who contribute billions of dollars in remittances to the national economy each year.
“It is unacceptable that our hardworking citizens, who have gone through legal channels, are being stopped from traveling at the last moment. Such incidents undermine public confidence in our institutions and affect Pakistan’s image abroad,”
the minister stated.
Hussain directed all relevant departments, including the FIA, Bureau of Emigration, and airport authorities, to adopt a coordinated approach to resolve the issue. He also emphasized the need to digitize immigration data, enhance inter-agency communication, and ensure that all genuine workers with verified documentation can travel without unnecessary hurdles.
Meeting Highlights and Decisions
During the meeting, detailed briefings were presented by FIA officials and representatives of the Bureau of Emigration. The participants reviewed several case studies where workers had been offloaded despite holding government-approved Protectorate of Emigrants clearances, employment contracts, and verified visas.
A joint working group comprising officials from the FIA, Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, and Emigration Bureau was formed to investigate root causes and recommend reforms.
The key decisions taken in the meeting included:
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Immediate Data Verification System:
The FIA will establish a real-time verification link with the Bureau of Emigration to confirm the authenticity of work visas and protector stamps instantly at immigration counters. -
Dedicated Complaint Cell:
A dedicated complaint cell will be launched within the FIA and Overseas Ministry to register and track grievances related to worker offloading incidents. -
Training of Immigration Staff:
Specialized training sessions will be held to sensitize airport personnel about the documentation of overseas workers and the importance of facilitating legitimate travelers. -
Accountability Measures:
Any FIA or airport officials found responsible for misconduct, negligence, or harassment of passengers will face disciplinary and legal action. -
Public Awareness Campaign:
The Overseas Ministry will run a national awareness drive to educate workers about proper documentation, emigration laws, and official verification methods before traveling abroad.
Reactions from Stakeholders
The move has been widely welcomed by overseas employment promoters, labour rights activists, and migrant welfare organizations. Raja Talib, President of the Overseas Employment Promoters Association (OEPA), praised the FIA for taking swift notice.
“Thousands of workers depend on overseas employment to support their families. The recent offloading trend had created uncertainty and fear. This investigation shows that the government is listening,”
he said.
Similarly, Syed Khalid Jadoon, a representative of the Pakistan Overseas Workers Federation (POWF), urged authorities to complete the probe within weeks.
“We appreciate the FIA’s commitment, but timely action is crucial. Every unnecessary delay affects livelihoods,”
Jadoon noted.
Human rights activists have also emphasized the need for greater transparency in how immigration decisions are made. They argue that Pakistan must balance national security with the right to free movement for lawful travelers.
Economic Implications
Overseas remittances form one of the largest sources of foreign exchange for Pakistan, averaging around $30 billion annually. Experts warn that persistent issues at the emigration or airport levels could discourage new job seekers from pursuing legal migration, thereby affecting national income.
Economist Dr. Aisha Siddiqui explained that such incidents might have long-term reputational effects.
“Foreign employers rely on Pakistan’s emigration system to supply skilled labour. If workers face barriers even after obtaining proper visas, international recruiters may turn elsewhere,”
she cautioned.
The Ministry of Finance and the State Bank of Pakistan have both highlighted the importance of protecting overseas employment channels to sustain remittance flows, especially amid Pakistan’s ongoing economic recovery efforts.
Airport Procedures Under Scrutiny
Officials familiar with airport operations revealed that most offloading incidents occur due to documentation discrepancies, fake visa concerns, or security alerts. However, critics argue that the system lacks clear communication with passengers, often leading to confusion and humiliation.
At major airports like Islamabad International Airport and Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore, thousands of passengers depart daily for the Gulf. Immigration officers have reportedly complained of insufficient digital tools to instantly verify overseas employment data — a gap the FIA now aims to bridge.
The agency plans to introduce biometric-linked clearance and digital protector verification integrated with the Bureau of Emigration’s database, ensuring instant validation of documents before boarding.
Political and Diplomatic Dimensions
The issue has also drawn attention from Pakistani missions abroad, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, where over 3 million Pakistani workers reside. Diplomats have urged Islamabad to streamline the emigration process to avoid unnecessary disruptions.
An official from the Pakistani Embassy in Riyadh, speaking on condition of anonymity, said:
“Our missions often receive calls from families of workers who were offloaded. Such incidents not only delay deployment but also create trust issues with foreign employers. The government’s new inquiry is a welcome step.”
On the political front, opposition parties have demanded parliamentary oversight of the FIA’s investigation, calling for transparency in findings and accountability for any officials involved in irregularities.
FIA’s Broader Reform Agenda
This investigation comes as part of the FIA’s broader effort to reform its immigration and anti-human trafficking divisions. Under DG Riffat Mukhtar’s leadership, the agency has launched initiatives to combat illegal travel agents, fake visa rackets, and human smuggling networks that exploit vulnerable workers.
Mukhtar said the agency is also collaborating with Interpol, Gulf law enforcement, and domestic ministries to dismantle international syndicates involved in document fraud.
“We want to ensure that genuine overseas employment continues smoothly, while criminal elements face strict action. Protecting Pakistan’s labour force abroad is a national priority,”
the DG emphasized.
Public Sentiment and Media Coverage
The issue has gained traction in national media, with several television talk shows and newspapers highlighting the plight of offloaded passengers. Public opinion on social media remains sharply divided: some blame overzealous immigration officers, while others point to unregulated recruiting agents who mislead workers about visa authenticity.
The FIA’s public relations wing has confirmed that the agency will soon publish an interim report, summarizing early findings from airport-level inquiries. The final report, expected within a month, will include recommendations for procedural reforms and penal actions against responsible officials.
Future Measures and Policy Outlook
Government sources suggest that the Ministry for Overseas Pakistanis is considering several policy reforms to prevent recurrence of such incidents:
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Digital Protector Certificates: Moving from paper-based protector stamps to blockchain-secured digital certificates for tamper-proof verification.
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Unified Immigration Portal: Creating an integrated digital portal accessible to FIA, Bureau of Emigration, and airline staff.
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Legal Amendments: Revising the Emigration Ordinance, 1979, to include new penalties for fraudulent recruiting agents and to define passenger rights more clearly.
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Public-Private Collaboration: Engaging overseas employment promoters in monitoring and reporting any misuse of emigration systems.
These measures, once implemented, could significantly reduce the risk of arbitrary offloading and improve Pakistan’s standing as a responsible labour-exporting nation.
Conclusion
The FIA’s ongoing investigation into reports of workers being offloaded at airports marks an important step toward restoring trust between Pakistan’s institutions and its overseas workforce. With millions of families dependent on remittances, ensuring the smooth, transparent, and dignified travel of Pakistani workers remains a cornerstone of national policy.
DG Riffat Mukhtar’s commitment to swift and impartial inquiry, backed by Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain’s direction for inter-agency cooperation, signals a renewed determination within the government to uphold the rights of citizens and strengthen Pakistan’s global reputation.
If implemented effectively, the reforms discussed during the meeting could not only eliminate procedural confusion but also serve as a model for efficient governance in migration management — reinforcing Pakistan’s pledge to safeguard the dignity and aspirations of every overseas worker who carries the nation’s hopes beyond its borders.
