The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Immigration Karachi has clarified that no travel restrictions have been imposed on passengers from Punjab or any other province flying abroad from Karachi.
In a press release, the agency dismissed recent social media claims as “baseless and misleading,” saying that passengers from all provinces, including Punjab, are traveling freely through Jinnah International Airport without any hindrance.
FIA officials stated that immigration staff continue to facilitate all travelers with professionalism and courtesy, in full accordance with the law.
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The agency explained that only enhanced scrutiny, such as immigration checks and passenger profiling, is being applied in specific cases, particularly for first-time travelers or individuals suspected of being victims of human trafficking.
According to FIA, the step was necessary to protect citizens from human smugglers and agents who lure people with false promises of overseas jobs or better opportunities.
READ: FIA foils human trafficking attempt at Karachi airport
“These preventive measures are taken purely in the interest of public safety and national responsibility, without any bias or discrimination,” the statement said, adding that those providing valid documentation and satisfactory explanations are cleared without issue.
The FIA emphasized that its goal is to ensure safe and lawful travel for all citizens and reaffirmed its commitment to serve people of all provinces equally and fairly.
Earlier, it was reported that FIA had made clearance mandatory for passengers from other provinces traveling abroad through Karachi airport to curb illegal migration.
Individuals who had never traveled overseas before and were not from Sindh would be stopped for verification.
However, FIA Karachi has now confirmed that there is no blanket restriction, and the policy only targets suspected cases of human trafficking or illegal travel.
