Naqvi says travellers with valid documents won’t be stopped at airports

KARACHI: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said passengers carrying valid travel documents will not be prevented from travelling abroad, as authorities continue screening to curb irregular travel and concerns linked to the misuse of visas.

Naqvi made the remarks during a visit to Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, where he reviewed the immigration process and operations at the counters. He said travellers with proper documentation have not been stopped in the past and will not be stopped going forward.

At the same time, the minister warned that passengers holding unverified or illegal documentation would not be allowed to travel. He said the government will act against attempts that could bring disrepute to Pakistan internationally.

Naqvi also cautioned against “professional beggars” attempting to travel under the guise of regular passengers, stating that such individuals would be offloaded and face legal action. He praised the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for tightening verification and said facilitating genuine passengers remains a priority.

The issue has been under scrutiny after parliamentary briefings in late 2025 cited large numbers of offloaded passengers and deportations for begging from multiple countries, alongside patterns of suspected irregular migration routes via third-country travel.