Why thousands of Pakistanis were barred from international flights in 2025
Intelligence-led screening targets trafficking routes and forged travel documents
ISLAMABAD/DUBAI – Pakistan’s immigration authorities barred nearly 40,000 passengers from boarding international flights last year, saying the move forms part of a broader campaign to combat human smuggling, trafficking networks and dangerous irregular migration routes.
Data from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), a total of 39,786 passengers were offloaded from international flights during 2025 under what officials described as a lawful and risk-based screening system.
Officials from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) defended the practice during a briefing with journalists in Islamabad, insisting that passengers are not selected at random. Instead, authorities say decisions are based on intelligence assessments, travel patterns, document checks and destination-country requirements.
Why the crackdown
The crackdown comes as Pakistan continues to grapple with the human cost of irregular migration. Over the past three years, around 460 Pakistanis have been caught up in migration-related incidents, with 377 deaths reported, according to FIA figures.
Data from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) indicates that 109 Pakistani nationals died in 2025 alone while attempting illegal migration journeys.
Authorities say the issue gained national attention following the deadly Greece boat tragedy in June 2023, which exposed extensive migrant-smuggling operations and highlighted the risks faced by people seeking to reach Europe through unlawful routes.
A high-level inquiry launched after the disaster recommended stronger enforcement measures, several of which have since been implemented.
Smuggling networks
Officials say many intercepted passengers were attempting to travel through routes commonly associated with fraudulent overseas employment schemes, forged documents, fake sponsorship arrangements and organised trafficking networks.
Since December 2024, the FIA has registered 2,421 human-smuggling cases and arrested 3,130 suspected agents. Authorities have also seized property valued at Rs961.7 million, recovered Rs87.7 million, and frozen bank accounts containing Rs239.6 million.
The agency’s Risk Analysis Unit has introduced five specialised risk profiles designed to help immigration officers identify potentially vulnerable travellers and suspicious movements at airports.
According to the FIA, these measures have produced noticeable results. Deportations linked to beggary have fallen by 75 percent, while deportations connected to forged documents have declined by 31 percent.
Signs of impact
Officials also reported broader improvements in migration-related indicators during 2025. Overall deportations of Pakistani nationals from foreign countries dropped by 16 percent compared with the previous year.
The agency further cited European border data showing a 64 percent reduction in illegal border crossings into Europe by Pakistani nationals during the first two months of the 2025-26 fiscal year.
Not all disrupted journeys were linked to immigration checks. FIA figures show that 34,688 additional passengers were unable to travel for other reasons, including flight cancellations, airline-related issues, adverse weather conditions and actions taken by separate law-enforcement agencies.
To assist legitimate travellers, the FIA has established pre-departure facilitation desks and a round-the-clock helpline. Officials say further legislative measures and coordinated reforms are being prepared to strengthen immigration controls while reducing inconvenience for genuine passengers travelling abroad.