Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) immigration wing at New Islamabad International Airport is facing serious allegations of administrative negligence and arbitrary conduct after two Pakistani nationals were reportedly prevented from boarding international flights despite holding valid travel documents and visas. The incidents, which surfaced on 24 May, have drawn attention to systemic lapses within the country's airport immigration apparatus.

Key Incidents

The first case involves a passenger identified as Shehzad Gondal, who claims he was offloaded from a flight bound for Cape Town, South Africa, despite possessing a valid South African visa, confirmed hotel bookings, a return air ticket reportedly costing around Pakistani Rs 5,50,000, and nearly $1,500 in travel funds. A video recorded by Gondal at the airport went viral on social media, in which he alleged that FIA officials offered no clear justification for the decision, citing only that South Africa had restricted travel for Pakistani nationals on newly issued visas.

Gondal questioned the rationale, arguing that once a visa has been issued by a foreign government — and the requisite fee paid in dollars — any deportation-related decision should rest with that country's authorities, not Pakistani immigration officials.

Second Passenger Alleges Harassment

In a separate incident, a businessman identified as Abrar, reportedly engaged in the metals trade, alleged that he was denied boarding at Lahore airport after immigration staff raised objections upon spotting a social media video from a travel agent on his mobile phone screen. Abrar claimed he repeatedly offered officials full access to his phone to verify any possible links to illegal immigration networks, but said his explanation was dismissed without consideration.

After travelling to Islamabad to have his documents verified at an FIA office, Abrar made a second attempt to travel abroad — and was again denied boarding. He further alleged that an FIA immigration official tore up his boarding card despite his repeated requests for its return, which he needed to claim a refund on his airline ticket.

Allegations Against FIA Staff

Both passengers have alleged in their formal complaints that neither junior immigration staff nor senior administrative officers responded adequately to their grievances. They accused officials of humiliating treatment and a failure to provide legally or procedurally sound explanations for the offloading decisions. According to reports, the incidents highlight a broader pattern of inconsistent and opaque decision-making at Pakistan's major international airports.

Wider Context

This is not the first time Pakistan's FIA immigration wing has come under scrutiny. Critics argue that the lack of a transparent appeals mechanism leaves offloaded passengers with little recourse, particularly when officials act without issuing written orders. The incidents come amid heightened global scrutiny of Pakistani travel documents, with several destination countries tightening visa and entry protocols for Pakistani nationals — a context that reportedly emboldens immigration officials to exercise broad, unchecked discretionary powers.

With both cases now in the public domain, pressure is mounting on the FIA to conduct an internal inquiry and establish clearer, accountable procedures for passenger offloading at international departure points.