New FIA rules hit overseas job seekers

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has made it mandatory for people travelling abroad for employment to obtain verification from a government officer. Hundreds of passengers have been offloaded at Lahore Airport and other airports across Pakistan by the FIA immigration.

Despite holding tickets worth hundreds of thousands of rupees and complete travel and employment documents, many passengers have been stopped from leaving the country for work.

Passengers say that, despite fulfilling all legal requirements, they are not being allowed to travel, resulting in significant financial losses. “We have spent hundreds of thousands of rupees on tickets and documents to work abroad and send money back home. Why are we being stopped merely on suspicion?” one traveller said.

Those seeking employment overseas now face additional hurdles, as they must secure an affidavit from a Grade 18 or 19 government officer confirming their intention to work legally. The Protectorate of Emigrants has deployed inspectors at airports to help verify documents and ease the process.

However, FIA Immigration officers continue to stop passengers at Lahore and other airports, reportedly offloading around 150 travellers within a week. Officials say the move follows several cases in which passengers who initially travelled to Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain or Thailand for work later attempted to reach Europe illegally via Libya or Baku.

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An immigration officer at Lahore Airport said that 26 such individuals were caught trying to enter Europe illegally after travelling abroad on work or visit visas. “Now, passengers must bring an affidavit signed by a Grade 18 or 19 government officer guaranteeing that they will remain at their stated place of employment and will not attempt to go to Europe illegally. Only those with such a guarantee will be allowed to leave,” the officer said.

Travellers have criticised the new rule, arguing that it is unreasonable to expect anyone to take responsibility for another person’s actions. “Our travel documents are complete, and we’ve paid all required fees. They have no right to stop us,” one said.

To address the situation, the Protectorate of Emigrants has stationed officers at airports to verify documents quickly and facilitate genuine workers. Immigration officer Owais at Lahore Airport said passengers travelling through the Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC) are being allowed to proceed, while those linked to other private overseas employment agencies will be cleared only after their documents are verified by authorised officers.