The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Immigration on Wednesday rejected reports claiming that passengers from other provinces were being barred from flying abroad from Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport. The agency clarified that no such ban exists, and travellers from all provinces are departing without obstruction.
An FIA spokesperson in Karachi said, “The agency rejects such claims as no such ban is in place,” emphasizing that immigration checks and profiling have been tightened only in specific cases. Officials explained that the enhanced screening process aims to protect citizens from human traffickers and travel agents who mislead people into taking illegal migration routes, including maritime departures.
According to FIA officials, first-time international travellers, especially those not belonging to Sindh, are subject to additional verification before clearance. The policy primarily applies to passengers who opt to depart from Karachi airport instead of airports in their home provinces. Such travellers must provide a valid reason for choosing Karachi before being cleared for travel.
Sources told local media that immigration authorities recently offloaded 57 passengers from one flight — including 35 Umrah pilgrims and 22 individuals with employment visas. The report added that their passports were not stamped during the process.
The FIA reiterated that passengers who present valid documents and satisfactory explanations face no difficulty in travelling abroad. Officials further clarified that, under the new routine, passport holders from Punjab making their first international trip are advised to use nearby airports within their province for convenience and security reasons.
The agency underscored that the screening measures are preventive, not punitive, and part of broader efforts to curb human trafficking and illegal immigration networks operating across the country.
