A new travel rule quietly introduced by Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has thrown hundreds of overseas workers into disarray, as airport officials begin enforcing a requirement for government-verified affidavits before departure.
Under the new directive, any Pakistani citizen leaving the country for employment abroad must now generate an affidavit signed by a Grade 18 or 19 government officer, confirming that they are travelling for legal work purposes and will not attempt to migrate illegally to Europe.
The rule — which has not yet been formally announced — has caught many passengers by surprise, leading to chaos and long queues at major airports, including Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad.
Chaos at the airports
Over the past week, FIA immigration teams have offloaded nearly 150 passengers, many of whom had valid tickets, employment visas, and complete documentation.
According to officials, the measure was prompted by several cases where workers initially travelled to Gulf destinations like Dubai, Saudi Arabia, or Bahrain, only to later attempt illegal entry into Europe through Libya or Baku.
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An FIA officer at Lahore Airport said that at least 26 individuals were recently caught trying to cross into Europe despite holding legal travel documents. “We are tightening scrutiny to prevent misuse of legal channels for human trafficking,” the official explained.
Workers call it unfair
For many travellers, however, the new rule feels unjust and financially devastating. “We spend months preparing documents and spend hundreds of thousands of rupees on jobs abroad. Being stopped at the last minute without prior notice is cruel,” said Asad Khan, a worker bound for Saudi Arabia who was denied boarding on Sunday.
Passengers and recruitment agents have urged the government to issue a clear public notification and create an easier, transparent verification system to avoid confusion and exploitation.
Efforts to streamline the process
In response to growing complaints, the Protectorate of Emigrants has deployed inspectors at major airports to help legitimate workers complete verification more easily.
Those traveling through the Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC) are reportedly cleared faster, while individuals who are using private recruitment agencies encounter additional scrutiny.
Officials maintain that the rule is part of a broader effort to combat human trafficking and protect Pakistan’s international reputation. However, the move also highlights a difficult balance between curbing illegal migration and supporting genuine workers who rely on overseas jobs to sustain their families.