Multan: Director Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Multan Zone, Atta-ur-Rehman, on Wednesday
said that exaggerated fear regarding passenger offloading during foreign travel does not reflect ground realities, stressing that genuine travelers are being facilitated and not stopped without valid reasons.
He said that out of 641,000 passengers screened in the Multan Zone so far, only 2,700 were offloaded,
primarily due to incomplete travel documents or unclear travel purpose. ‘No passenger is offloaded without justification,’ he clarified.
He urged the public to ensure proper awareness before traveling abroad. He said students must have proof of fee payment, offer letters, and clear academic justification, while work visa holders must possess relevant skills for the job they intend to pursue overseas, otherwise complications may arise.
The director said that passengers who fear possible offloading can contact FIA in advance, adding that awareness desks have been established for this purpose. In certain cases, even after an offload stamp is applied, passengers are allowed to travel if they satisfactorily justify their purpose.
He said every country maintains a specific travel profile, therefore visit visa holders must carry complete and valid documentation. He added that Pakistan’s screening mechanism has significantly improved.
Referring to international measures, Atta-ur-Rehman said around 6,000 individuals were deported from Dubai for attempting to travel on visit visas for begging, resulting in stricter scrutiny that has also affected legitimate travelers. However, he assured that FIA is working to facilitate bona fide passengers and the government is addressing issues related to Dubai visas.
Regarding Umrah pilgrims, he clarified that travelers must carry sufficient funds, a return ticket, and hotel booking, adding that travel is not permitted without a return ticket.