The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has clarified the reasons behind reports of passengers being offloaded at Pakistani airports while traveling abroad. Recent media coverage had raised concerns that large numbers of Pakistanis, including those holding valid work or study visas, were being denied boarding without explanation, prompting criticism from the public.
FIA officials explained that passengers are only offloaded or denied boarding if they lack valid travel documents or are suspected of involvement in migrant smuggling networks. Muhammad Bin Ashraf, FIA Director for the Gujranwala Zone, speaking on ARY News program The Reporters, highlighted the circulation of misleading AI-generated images, videos, and false narratives on social media regarding offloading incidents. He emphasized that such content was deliberately created to misinform the public and damage the FIA’s reputation, urging citizens to verify information through official channels and avoid sharing unverified material.
Ashraf further stated that offloading measures are preventive, particularly following recent migrant boat tragedies that claimed the lives of many Pakistanis. The FIA has established a Risk Analysis Unit (RAU) that uses internationally recognized software and applications to generate risk profiles based on illegal immigration trends. Passengers identified through these profiles as potentially involved in illegal migration are offloaded to prevent unlawful travel and ensure the safety of citizens.
The clarification underlines that the FIA’s actions are targeted, evidence-based, and focused on combating illegal immigration rather than arbitrarily restricting legitimate travelers.
