ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Interior Friday issued a stern clarification, asserting that Pakistani citizens traveling abroad must satisfy the immigration authorities at airports on their purpose of travel even if they possessed a valid entry visa.
The ministry stated that travelers who failed to convince the immigration officials of the legitimacy of their itinerary or arrangements, such as the intent of their visit or proof of stay, may be off-loaded, irrespective of holding the necessary travel documents. The stringent precautions are being implemented primarily to “safeguard Pakistan’s image internationally,” according to the official statement.
Officials highlighted concerning instances where individuals allegedly obtained visas for specific countries, such as Senegal, only to attempt to cross international borders illegally after their arrival. The interior ministry is acting to curb the misuse of legal travel documents for illicit purposes.
To ensure that the travel plans are legitimate, immigration authorities are now expected to conduct thorough reviews of several key documents, including, return tickets, confirmed hotel bookings and bank statements.
These checks are intended to verify the traveler’s financial capacity and concrete plans for their stay abroad.
The ministry’s statement comes amidst recent discussions and widespread reports on social media concerning Pakistani passengers being off-loaded at airports. The clarification aims to provide the official rationale behind these actions, shifting the focus from procedural issues to the imperative of compliance. The ministry reiterated the critical importance of adhering to the stringent immigration procedures to prevent actions that could reflect negatively on the country’s reputation abroad.
