The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) of Pakistan is discouraging first-time travel of passengers to 15 countries, including Kenya.
In a report submitted to the Lahore High Court (LHC), the FIA imposed travel restrictions on first-time flyers to these countries amid concerns over illegal immigration.
Other countries include Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Turkiye, Qatar, Azerbaijan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Egypt, Libya, Ethiopia, Senegal and Mauritania.
The Agency was responding to a petition of a pilgrim who had been barred from travelling to Saudi Arabia for Umrah.
FIA said it ensures strict profiling of passengers travelling to these countries.
The ban applies particularly to those around 35 years old from Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Mandi Bahauddin, and Jhelum.
“The passengers must have an un-doubtful travel purpose, paid hotel booking and sufficient funds.”
The FIA claimed that those travelling for Umrah must have adequate religious knowledge.
FIA stated that travelers must possess a clear travel purpose, confirmed hotel bookings, and adequate financial resources.
Additionally, the Agency said those traveling for Umrah should have sufficient religious understanding.
According to the FIA report, the recent incidents of boat tragedies in Libya, South Greece, and Morocco/Mauritania involved many passengers who traveled from Pakistan under the guise of Umrah visit visas.
Further, it stated that many of the individuals involved were aged between 15 and 40 years, originating from Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Bhimber, Jhelum, Toba Tek Singh, Hafizabad, and Sheikhpura.
Immigration officers at airports are rigorously verifying passenger documents and conducting interviews to assess their travel intentions and financial readiness.
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Pakistan Report Exposes Travel Trends
A recent analysis of the Immigration Border Management System (IBMS) database exposed concerning trends in traveler movements on visit, tourist, and student visas between July and December 2024.
The review uncovered systematic misuse of these visa categories, with individuals using transit countries as stepping stones for unauthorized entry into Europe.
The Risk Analysis Unit identified 15 countries frequently used as routes for illegal migration.
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The Petition
Muhammad Farhan, an FIA official and the petitioner, informed the court that authorities offloaded him in compliance with newly issued directives.
A resident of Sheikhpura, he was removed from a Saudi Arabia-bound flight at Lahore airport.
Farhan argued that he had legally obtained a Saudi visa for Umrah, asserting that offloading him without evidence of illegal travel was unjust and violated his fundamental rights.
He listed the federal government, religious affairs secretary, interior secretary, FIA director general, and additional director (immigration) as respondents in his petition.
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