In a significant move to protect the country’s reputation and ensure lawful travel, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has announced strict new measures for passengers departing from Pakistani airports. The minister made the announcement during a visit to Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport, accompanied by Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry.
Key Measures Announced:
- Professional beggars will be barred from traveling abroad.
- Individuals attempting to travel with incomplete or improper documentation will not be allowed to depart.
- Authorities will take strict action against those who “bring a bad name to Pakistan.”
Minister Naqvi emphasized that no passenger will be stopped without valid reason, clarifying that the government’s focus remains on the dignity of Pakistan and the facilitation of genuine travelers.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Refuses Nishan-e-Pakistan Honor
Background and Statistics:
The announcement follows alarming reports presented to the National Assembly Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis. The committee was informed that:
- 51,000 Pakistanis were offloaded at airports in 2025 while attempting to travel abroad.
- 24,000 citizens were deported from Saudi Arabia this year on charges of begging.
- Another 6,000 were deported from Dubai and 2,000 from Azerbaijan for similar violations.
During the airport visit, Naqvi and Chaudhry inspected immigration counters and reviewed departure procedures to ensure smoother and more regulated passenger processing.
These measures aim to combat illegal immigration and organized begging rings that exploit international travel, while ensuring that lawful travelers face no unnecessary hurdles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who will be stopped from traveling abroad under the new rules?
Professional beggars and individuals traveling with incomplete or improper documents will not be allowed to depart from Pakistan.
2. Will genuine travelers be affected?
No. The interior minister clarified that no passenger will be stopped without a valid reason, and the focus is on facilitating lawful travelers while stopping only those violating regulations.
3. Why has this action been taken?
The move aims to prevent illegal immigration and organized begging abroad, which damage Pakistan’s international reputation and lead to mass deportations.
4. How many Pakistanis have been deported recently for begging?
According to FIA reports, 24,000 were deported from Saudi Arabia, 6,000 from Dubai, and around 2,000 from Azerbaijan in 2025 alone on charges of begging.
