The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has made it mandatory for passengers from other provinces to obtain clearance before traveling abroad from Karachi.
According to FIA officials, any individual who has never traveled abroad before and does not belong to Sindh province will be stopped from departing through Karachi.
Officials said that many people from other provinces travel abroad from Karachi, often misled by agents who later put them on illegal boat journeys.
The FIA further said that travelers from Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and other provinces will now undergo screening procedures.
Under the new policy, passport holders from Punjab making their first international trip must travel from their nearest airports instead of Karachi. Immigration staff stationed at Karachi Airport have already received instructions regarding the implementation of this policy.
Also read: Pakistanis going abroad for jobs must now meet new FIA requirement
Meanwhile, reports revealed that 57 passengers were offloaded from flight SV 709 today. Among them, 35 were Umrah pilgrims and 22 held employment visas. FIA immigration officials reportedly did not stamp the passports of the offloaded passengers.
Last week, the FIA implemented a new rule for Pakistanis traveling abroad for employment, requiring them to present an affidavit signed by a senior government official of Grade 18 or 19. This affidavit must confirm that the traveler intends to work only at the declared place of employment and will not attempt illegal entry into Europe.
