ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has pledged that no air traveler holding genuine and complete documentation will be barred from travelling abroad, addressing a rising tide of complaints from passengers being offloaded at airports in recent months.
During a visit to Islamabad International Airport on Saturday, the minister personally listened to the concerns of travelers and mandated immediate corrective actions at immigration counters. He emphasized the need for a strict crackdown on visa agents who are reportedly exploiting citizens.
Naqvi confirmed he had taken “serious notice” of a complaint lodged on November 7 regarding insufficient staffing at immigration. In response, he has initiated an inquiry, which includes a thorough review of CCTV footage from the airport.
“No passenger with genuine and complete documents should ever be stopped from travelling,” the interior minister stated on the social media platform X. He clarified, however, that individuals attempting to travel with “fake or unverified documents will not be allowed under any circumstances, as such actions damage Pakistan’s reputation.”
Warning against what he termed “agent mafias,” Naqvi asserted that these networks were jeopardizing the futures of people for financial benefit. He declared that the government would exercise “zero tolerance” towards these illicit operations.
The minister”s intervention follows heightened scrutiny at airports as part of a nationwide campaign against migrant smuggling. This campaign was launched after the tragic Greece boat incident in 2023, where many Pakistani nationals lost their lives. Since the crackdown began, numerous reports have surfaced alleging that even passengers with valid travel papers were being prevented from boarding their flights.
Naqvi vows stern action against fraudulent visa agents tarnishing national image
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has directed law enforcement agencies to initiate a stringent crackdown on visa agents engaged in illicit activities, warning of severe consequences for those who defraud unsuspecting citizens with false promises of overseas employment.
The directive was issued Saturday during an unscheduled inspection at Islamabad International Airport, where the minister addressed the growing problem of fraudulent travel schemes.
Naqvi condemned what he described as an “agent mafia,” stating that these unscrupulous individuals, motivated by greed, are jeopardizing the futures of innocent people and causing significant damage to the country’s international standing.
The Interior Minister also highlighted that individuals attempting to travel abroad using counterfeit documents or other illegal means are contributing to the tarnishing of the nation”s reputation.
He emphatically declared that this situation would not be permitted to persist and would be stopped at any cost.
In a move to ensure fairness for legitimate travelers, the minister also issued clear instructions that any passenger possessing all the required legal documents must not face any hindrance or be prevented from traveling.
