The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has made it mandatory for people travelling abroad for employment to obtain verification from a government officer. Hundreds of passengers have been offloaded at Lahore Airport and other airports across Pakistan by the FIA immigration.

Despite holding tickets worth hundreds of thousands of rupees and complete travel and employment documents, many passengers have been stopped from leaving the country for work.

Passengers say that, despite fulfilling all legal requirements, they are not being allowed to travel, resulting in significant financial losses. “We have spent hundreds of thousands of rupees on tickets and documents to work abroad and send money back home. Why are we being stopped merely on suspicion?” one traveller said.

Those seeking employ

See Full Page