The federal government has launched pre-departure facilitation desks for international travellers to address rising complaints about offloading at airports across Pakistan.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has established these desks to guide passengers travelling abroad and help ensure smoother immigration clearance.
Pleased to share that the Federal Investigation Agency has launched Pre-Departure Facilitation Desks across all zonal offices, with immediate effect.
— Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) January 4, 2026
These desks will provide guidance & assistance to international travelers on immigration procedures/clearances, ensuring a…
He said the desks will provide clear information on documentation requirements, immigration checks, and travel procedures to reduce last-minute issues faced by passengers at departure points.
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According to the interior minister, the facilitation desks are available in person at airports and border points, as well as through dedicated helplines and official email services.
Relevant contact details and guidance material have also been displayed at airports and uploaded on the FIA website for easy public access, the minister added.
The initiative comes amid widespread social media claims alleging arbitrary offloading of passengers from international flights due to documentation concerns.
READ: PM sets up panel to examine passenger offloading issues at airports
In recent months, several travellers have complained online that they were stopped from boarding despite holding what they believed were complete and valid travel documents.
However, the FIA clarified in November that no passengers were being offloaded without reason and that travellers with complete and legal documents were being facilitated.
The agency said offloading occurs only after proper profiling of individuals suspected of attempting to travel abroad through illegal means or using dubious documentation.
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Officials stressed that the government has intensified efforts to curb human smuggling networks and prevent illegal migration, particularly through misuse of visit visas.
Last month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also intervened after reports of offloading incidents surfaced, directing authorities to safeguard passengers with valid documents.
Chairing a high-level meeting on combating human trafficking, the prime minister ordered strict action against individuals involved in illegal travel or document fraud.
