Pakistan has decided to intensify its crackdown on travellers attempting to leave the country using fake or incomplete documents, following a rise in incidents where passengers were offloaded at airports despite having travel papers that initially appeared valid. The directive comes in the wake of stricter monitoring introduced after last year’s Greece boat tragedy, which claimed several Pakistani lives and prompted authorities to revisit migration protocols. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi reaffirmed that anyone attempting international travel without proper and verified documentation would be stopped under all circumstances, marking a renewed effort to deter irregular migration.
During a meeting in Islamabad chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik Hussain, senior officials reviewed the country’s existing immigration processes and the measures necessary to reinforce them. It was decided that the issuance system for Protectors, which serves as emigration clearance for Pakistanis travelling abroad for work, would be strengthened through new safeguards. The reforms are intended to facilitate genuine travellers while reducing exploitation by agent networks involved in fake visas. Federal ministers instructed relevant departments to submit final recommendations within seven days, initiating a focused timeline for changes that aim to increase transparency and reliability across the immigration system.
Naqvi highlighted that an AI based pilot application would be introduced in Islamabad starting January, with the objective of identifying travellers who meet eligibility criteria before they reach departure counters. This system aims to reduce reliance on outdated verification processes and to provide authorities with enhanced tools for screening documentation. He stressed that the crackdown will extend to individuals and networks engaged in the business of forged visas. The minister added that deported individuals would not be reissued visas after their passports are cancelled, reinforcing the stance of zero tolerance toward document fraud. He also noted ongoing engagement with other countries to help improve the global standing of the green passport, stating that those travelling abroad through improper means negatively impact Pakistan’s reputation.
As part of the reforms, Naqvi announced that a standardised international driving licence would be issued through the National Police Bureau, providing uniformity for citizens seeking documentation that is recognised abroad. Hussain highlighted the importance of authenticity in paperwork for those travelling on labour visas, emphasising that a transparent protector system is essential for safeguarding workers and reducing exploitation. He assured that the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis will coordinate fully with the Ministry of Interior to support improvements in the Protector and immigration systems. Participants at the meeting also reviewed enforcement actions related to illegal migrants, incomplete documentation cases, and ongoing digital initiatives including e driving licences, updated protector verification, and procedural refinements for immigration desks.
The intensified push for immigration reform reflects the government’s broader commitment to ensuring regulatory consistency, curbing document fraud, and enhancing Pakistan’s international image. With the introduction of AI tools, stronger compliance checks, and coordinated efforts across ministries, authorities aim to create a more secure and streamlined pathway for citizens travelling abroad while reducing risks linked to unlawful travel practices.
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