Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has ordered a strict crackdown against visa agents exploiting innocent individuals, making it clear that a zero-tolerance policy will be adopted against agent mafias who play with people’s futures for profit.
In a statement posted on the social media platform X, he said that during his surprise visit to Islamabad Airport, he met passengers departing abroad and listened to their concerns directly.
The Interior Minister took serious notice of a passenger’s complaint about a shortage of staff at immigration and ordered an immediate inquiry, directing officials to review the relevant CCTV footage.
Mohsin Naqvi emphasized that any passenger with complete and authentic travel documents will not be stopped under any circumstances. However, those attempting to travel with fake or unverified papers will not be allowed to proceed, as such actions harm Pakistan’s reputation.
In the backdrop of recent claims circulating on social media, the FIA had also clarified on 27 November that allegations of passengers being offloaded without reason are fabricated and misleading, aimed at causing unnecessary public concern. The agency stated that no passenger with complete documentation and a legitimate travel purpose is ever stopped, and passenger safety remains its top priority.
The FIA urged citizens not to fall prey to illegal agents and to travel only with complete, authentic, and verified documents.
It is worth mentioning that the Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, had also directed the FIA to immediately resolve complaints about employees being unnecessarily offloaded at airports while traveling abroad.
