KARACHI – Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has ordered immediate and strict action against travelers attempting to leave Pakistan using forged or unverified documents. The directive came during an unannounced inspection of immigration operations at Jinnah International Airport on Friday.
Naqvi emphasized that no passenger with incomplete paperwork should be allowed to board international flights, signaling a zero-tolerance policy toward document fraud at the country’s busiest travel hubs.
System Outage Exposes Immigration Vulnerability
During the minister’s visit, the airport’s digital immigration system unexpectedly went offline. Naqvi responded by contacting technical authorities on the spot and ordering an immediate resolution. He further instructed officials to maintain a functional backup system to prevent future disruptions.
“The immigration process must not stop under any circumstances,” Naqvi said, underscoring the need for uninterrupted passenger processing even during technical failures.
Passenger Experience Under Review
The interior minister also interacted directly with outbound travelers, inquiring about their experiences at immigration counters. The visit appeared designed to assess both security enforcement and service quality from the perspective of ordinary passengers.
Key Directives Issued
- Strict legal action against anyone using fake travel documents
- Mandatory verification of all passenger documents before departure
- Immediate deployment of backup systems for immigration processing
- Continuous monitoring of immigration counter efficiency
The crackdown reflects growing concerns over human trafficking and illegal migration networks that rely on forged passports, visas, and identity papers. Pakistani authorities have faced international pressure to strengthen border controls and document verification procedures.
Naqvi’s surprise visit and subsequent orders mark a significant escalation in enforcement efforts, with airport staff now expected to implement stricter screening protocols without compromising passenger flow.
