FIA offloaded nearly 39,800 passengers in 2025, LHC bars arbitrary passenger offloading

Sun, May 31, 2026

#PJNJusticeWatch According to senior FIA official, nearly 39,800 passengers were offloaded in 2025 as part of efforts to combat irregular migration and human smuggling. Immigration Additional Director General Nouman Siddiqui said passenger offloading, often criticised publicly, was primarily a preventive step aimed at saving lives, protecting citizens from exploitation abroad and safeguarding Pakistan’s international image.

At the same time, on 30 May, the Lahore High Court (LHC) issued fresh guidelines restricting the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) from offloading passengers travelling abroad without valid legal grounds. The court has ruled that citizens possessing valid visas, tickets and travel documents cannot be stopped merely on the basis of vague suspicions or apprehensions.

The development highlights the need to strike a balance between:

✈️ Preventing human smuggling and irregular migration
⚖️ Protecting citizens’ constitutional rights and freedom of movement
???? Ensuring transparency, accountability, and due process in travel-related decisions

A rights-based approach requires that security measures remain effective while respecting the rule of law and fundamental freedoms.

#HumanRights #RuleOfLaw #AccessToJustice #Migration #HumanSmuggling #FIA #LHC #Pakistan #FreedomOfMovement #DueProcess #PJNPakistan

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