Troubles of a Pakistani passport
As soon as I presented my passport to an officer at the airport, the smile left his face. He flipped my passport twice just to double check the country. He asked me how long I would be staying in Paris for and how much money I was carrying. I showed him my return ticket along with 600 Euros to assure him that I would be returning to Pakistan within five days. After a few other questions, he let me go. What bothered me was the fact that other passengers weren’t asked any questions and he was letting them go after checking their boarding passes only.
After an eight hour long flight, I landed in Paris. That feeling of being in Paris was irreplaceable and overwhelming because I was at one of the most beautiful cities of the world. After a couple of minutes, I was directed towards the security post where I had to get my documents verified. As I approached the counter, the operator asked me to present my visa. When I looked up to present my return ticket, I saw wrinkles on the officer’s forehead. And here we go again: the green passport had gotten me in trouble...yet again! While people were getting done with their security checks within five minutes at the next counter, it took me 15 to 20 minutes to convince the officer that I was only there to attend a conference and that I was officially invited by the La Sorbonne University. And the officer did not get convinced until I started speaking in French, utilising the two semesters of French language that I took at IBA. It was then when he uttered the magical words, “You are good to go!”
Getting looked at with suspicion is the worst feeling ever when you mean no harm and are just travelling to another country. I don’t blame these airport officials and travel airlines because had I been in their shoes, I probably would have done the same thing. But regardless of all this, I am proud to be a Pakistani and I want to tell the world that not all Pakistanis are terrorists, bombers, and criminals.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 30th, 2014.
COMMENTS (50)
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I also hold a Pakistani passport and I cannot tell you how many times i have been stopped for security checks. Their attitude changes as soon as they read the word Pakistan on the Passport. And judging from the activities of us Pakistanis, I don't blame them.
Good to see that our Indian friends have lot of interest in Pakistan news!
@Ramsha Wasti: Bollywood awaits you. Please visit Bombay, you will get many sponsors.
Dear All, the opinions and the feelings of all the brothers and sisters are appreciable. But it is a fact that if through a conspiracy we are facing terrorism while the other hand Pakistan Army is one of the best Army in the world and played and playing a positive rule for Mantenence of peace in the world under the flag of UNO. But no one appreciated our this sacrifice. Secondly, it is our ill-fate that our leaders do not put their eyes in the eyes of other and owing to this we have no Foreign Policy. That is why our grand green passport is treated so although we are better most of the countries on every angle. Our sin is that we suffered by Terrorism and we defending the world from Terrorism.
You're lucky they let you go after only 20 minutes. Every time I travel to the US I am usually stopped for 2-4 hours. And that has happened without fail. But alas, what can a green passport holder do but bear the humiliation quietly?
That passport and document checking was not due to terrorism, it's because of the people from villages of Pakistan, they basically go there on Student visas and then disappear. I live in Europe and the sh*t I've seen done by Pakistan people, you wouldn't believe.
Well you are not the only one, all of us overseas pakistanis have faced similar situations on account of our great nationality. And we have no one else to blame but ourselves.
Traveled so many times in Europe without any issue with my Pakistani passport. In fact received hi-five from airport staff in France when travelling on French Independence day! They also recommended a visit to Eiffel Tower for the fireworks!
While this article presents a genuine problem, just reiterating platitudes is useless. The need is to address the root of the issue, not the symptom. Pakistani passport raises suspicion simply because Pakistanis are not law abiding, and specifically in Europe many of them are illegal immigrants, which seems to be what the author was checked for. Some never return, including (infamously) sportsmen who go for international meets. So it's not all security related issues.
Half the answer is improving security, and the other half is address unemployment and to provide economic opportunity to citizens. Government needs to focus on governance and not on politics. Citizens need to vote, and vote on issues rather than the current sponsorship system.
The blog deserves an Oscar!
I think the writer misunderstood all the attention she was getting. Pakistan is special and pakistanis are special. So its natural that people are going to give special people extra attention. Why feel bad about it?
and the point of the article is?
''I am proud to be a Pakistani and I want to tell the world that not all Pakistanis are terrorists, bombers, and criminals''
Yes but unfortunately fr u guys dear, terrorists, bombers, and criminals represent 70 % of the Pakistani population :P
20 minutes is nothing to complain abojut. I have spent longer at FIA immigration waiting to get into Pakistan, and I am a citizen. I would think we would be more welcoming of citizens coming home. Why do I have to answer where I came from ? Its none of the governments business. If I had some ulterior motives, would I tell the truth ?
@Caresless Whispers: what a lie to satisfy ur egoes. ..thanks we r not part of Pak ..I am an Indian Kasmiri and m proud of my country
I've been living in EU for a few years with my Pakistani passport and there has never been any issue when traveling to other European countries. The officers treat me with as much respect as any other passengers. You were probably one of the unlucky few, or maybe you looked suspicious that day ;-) nothing to do with the Pakistani passport, stop worrying and spreading FUD please.
Not all Pakistanis are terrorists, true certainly true. But the reverse? Most of the terrorists are either Pakistanis or perhaps it can be restated as in one can't be a successful terrorist without having some link to Pakistan. Undeniably we have to digest the bitter truth. The issue is of being looked upon as a Pakistani passport holder is a norm de jure. Once I happened to travel to a foreign country from Islamabad. The men seated next to me were conversing in Pashto. Out of curiosity I inquired where he was from and he told me he was from Mazar-i-Sharif Afghanistan. That was in 99. Trust me I wasn't very comfortable in my seats and I got back my composure only after the plane landed.
There, there. Don't forget the silver lining - maybe your great grandchildren won't face the same kind of prejudice you faced. Maybe.
Do what I did, become a British national. Solves every problem
It used to happen to Indian passport holders as well. I have renounced mine. I think it goes with reputation of the country and whether its' citizens are perceived to be wealthy. It is more likely for an American to be travelling without money (I encounter a few during my travels) than people from developing countries.
They don't give visa to men with green passports. My brother was invited by a company in holland (all expenses paid) but visa was denied. The Dutch are perhaps the most prejudiced. Then I was invited to a seminar in Belgium and guess what, I was also denied even though I had been to the US before.
Having lived in Europe for last 5 years with a Pakistani Passport, I can say that I haven't met any prejudice at all. The worst scenerio occurs on Lahore airport where airlines and FIA asks stupid questions. When in Europe, If you have a correct visa, no one bothers you. So dont be depressed at all, world aint that bad for green passport.
Kindly do not portray Pakistan negatively. Be thankful to God that you reached Paris. How many people can go to Paris? Additionally, there are 50 other nations which go through similar checks and not only Pakistan.
I am surprised that you were surprised at your treatment, and believe me you are not the only one with this green passport treatment. Perhaps the officer was looking for the polio shot document.
Have been traveling all over the world since 1982, I have never faced any such issues at any of the American, European, Middle Eastern or far eastern immigrations. Maybe I am the Lucky one!
It remains a fact that Pakistan has been in the centre of exporting terrorism to other parts of the world. And security checks have been raised as an aftermath of numerous terrorist attacks. It makes complete sense for others to be completely sure of who they are letting inside their country. Your complaining does not make any sense. You probably agree with what I say -- the only reason why you went on to write this article is because you wanted everybody to know you were in Paris recently. Show off article!
I guess this was ur 1st trip to Europe, i've been to Taiwan, Germany, Libya, Dubai number of times without any problem... last time an indian traveling with was stopped for question at Taipei Airport & i was let go without a single word... Bad experience ....
When you are from country with as many problems as Pakistan, you can't really blame them for taking so many precautions.
Knowing French saved her; she took two semesters. Wow !!! clapping again !!
Such a waste of space... what was the point of this article. We all know this happens and all you got was a couple of frowns. Grow up and get over it.
ET, please publish pieces that are worth reading.
This piece is such a waste of space. This has been going on forever. We all go through it. Nothing extraordinary to be put into an article. If every person starts writing about their experiences, you'd have to dedicate a website to it. 20 minutes is nothing tbh - ever spent a night at O'Hare because you were taken in for questioning and missed your connecting flight? No, correct? Didn't think so. Get over it!
Live in the States. Travel regularly to the Europe and SE Asia for work. Transit through the Gulf regularly with a Pak passport. Never been harassed to date (fingers crossed!)
I am sure there is a certain level of heightened scrutiny for us but nothing that doesn't happen to other developing country citizens.
Life tends to confirm our paranoia (or lack thereof).
okay ... so you went to Paris and you speak French too !!! got it.
Nothing new ! our actions do speak louder ..
Countries that value the life of their citizens find it their duty to do their all to protect them. Citizens from countries where life is worthless do find vigilant Immigration Officers irksome. We got to get on with it.
Sad to hear this, but its how we are seen these days. Even our own LEAs treat us like we will do some vandalism any moment now. Its up to ambassadors like you and other wonderful Pakistanis who go abroad and shows the good side of our country. So I must say that well done in keeping up with it and keep doing the good work.
Almost same situation happened with me in Dubai when I was going to Italy. He checked my visa dozen time if it is real or fake. He asked me questions like I am at some police station. Same questions asked that home much money you are carrying, how long will you stay. While investigating he was checking passport of other passengers too but the behavior with them was totally different as compared to me. After scanning my complete passport he let me on board as a last passenger.
Clapping !! she knows french.
What happend to is normel i have been thru this manny times ...they usually take me to a special room for intoragation. And when I am lucky they escort me also :-)
Good and Bad experiences are part of travellers life. I travelled to Tokyo 2 years back for a stay of 3months and with a group of 17 people. Also had to stay for few hours in Bangkok but didnt face any trouble nor had a feeling that i am being treated in a different way though there were people who were wearing Shalwar Kamiz.
I am not saying that accidents like you faced are rare and nothing of similar type stuff happen with majority but you cannot do anything to please such nations.
But most of them are.
Dear it is the acts of our Pakistani brothers that has led to this negative impression of our country. There are countless Pakistanis who go abroad on visit VISAs and then disappear.