Protection system under review as authorities investigate facilitation of illegal travel
Security is tight at all Pakistani airports. PHOTO: FILE
Alleged collusion by an FIA official at the Allama Iqbal International Airport came to light after immigration officials intercepted passengers allegedly trying to travel abroad illegally, officials said. The discovery prompted an investigation into how authorities might have facilitated the unauthorized departures.
The problem attracted attention during routine immigration checks, when officers arrested a passenger suspected of having received help from an FIA official to circumvent travel rules.
During a two-hour unannounced visit on Sunday, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik Hussain observed the immigration process at the airport. They spoke with passengers bound for international travel, asking about the process and ways to improve it.
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Naqvi warned that illegal travel will not be tolerated under any circumstances. He expressed concern about long queues at immigration counters and asked authorities to speed up processing to avoid delays and inconvenience for travelers.
Hussain also inspected the “Protector” stickers on the travel documents. He cited a recent case in which a young man was banned from traveling abroad to work as a driver due to lack of a driving license. The minister ordered an investigation, stressing that the Protector system must ensure the verification of all work-related travel documents.
Naqvi called the staff who arrested the two passengers, congratulating them and rewarding them from his own pocket. He also announced commendation certificates for the staff members in question.
Additionally, Naqvi said any Pakistani whose actions could bring the country into disrepute would be barred from international travel. He also ordered that strict legal action be taken against any FIA official involved in aiding illegal travel.
