Federal authorities have launched an investigation into incidents of Pakistani workers being wrongfully prevented from boarding international flights, with the government vowing to take strict action against any officials involved and put an immediate end to the practice.

According to an official report today, the issue was addressed in a high-level meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, who took notice of the matter after workers possessing valid work visas and protector certificates were barred from travel at various airports.

Emphasizing the vital contribution of expatriate labor to the national economy through foreign remittances, Hussain declared that Pakistanis going abroad for employment are highly respected and that no one will be permitted to unlawfully stop them at airports. He directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to resolve the problem without delay.

In response, Director General FIA Riffat Mukhtar confirmed that incidents of workers being offloaded were reported at airports in Lahore and Karachi and that formal inquiries are underway. He gave a firm assurance that if any FIA personnel are found complicit, they will face stringent disciplinary measures.

Mukhtar also clarified that the agency has not imposed any new travel conditions, nor has it introduced any new requirement for obtaining an affidavit from a government officer for those traveling on work visas. He announced that a new digital system will soon be introduced, enabling workers to complete their immigration formalities online before their departure.

To prevent a recurrence of such events, Minister Hussain stated that the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis is collaborating with FIA officials to formulate new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The meeting also included the Secretary of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, Nadeem Aslam Chaudhary, and a delegation from the Pakistan Overseas Employment Promoters Association.