Naqvi warns travellers against going abroad with incomplete documents
LAHORE: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said professional beggars and people travelling with incomplete documents will not be allowed to go abroad.
He was speaking to passengers during a visit to Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore on Sunday, accompanied by Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry.
“Those who bring a bad name to Pakistan will face strict action,” Naqvi said, emphasising the need to protect the country’s reputation. The Interior Minister also clarified that no passenger would be stopped from travelling without a valid reason.
“The dignity of Pakistan and facilitation of passengers are my top priorities,” he added. During the visit, Naqvi and Chaudhry inspected immigration counters and reviewed the departure process to ensure smooth operations at the airport.
A day earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad to review measures against human trafficking, undocumented foreign travel, and weaknesses in the country’s immigration processes.
The prime minister was briefed on recent enforcement actions by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), including the arrest of 451 individuals involved in human trafficking and illegal migration.
He also noted the airport inspections carried out by Mohsin Naqvi following complaints about passenger offloading, describing the intervention as timely and necessary.
The prime minister directed authorities to ensure that passengers holding valid travel documents are not inconvenienced by enforcement actions against illegal travellers.
He emphasised the need to improve the performance of the Protectorate of Immigrants and strengthen coordination between the FIA and other relevant institutions to prevent delays for legitimate travellers.
Stressing the role of technology, the prime minister called for greater use of digital tools to enhance the efficiency and transparency of immigration procedures. He further directed authorities to take strict action against corrupt elements within enforcement agencies, noting that 196 FIA officers and staff had already been dismissed after being found guilty of corruption. Staff Report
