The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has made it compulsory for Pakistanis travelling abroad for employment to obtain an affidavit signed by a Grade 18 or 19 government officer, reported The Express Tribune.
The affidavit must guarantee that the passenger will work only at the stated place of employment and will not attempt to enter Europe illegally.
According to the report, FIA immigration teams have offloaded nearly 150 passengers from flights at Lahore and other airports within a week for failing to provide the required verification.
An FIA immigration officer at Lahore Airport said the move follows several incidents where passengers who travelled to Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, or Thailand later tried to reach Europe through Libya or Baku.
“Only those presenting an affidavit verified by a senior government officer will be allowed to travel,” the officer said.
The Protectorate of Emigrants has deployed inspectors at airports to verify documents and assist genuine workers. Passengers travelling through the Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC) are being cleared easily, while those linked to private overseas recruitment agencies must wait for verification.
Many travellers have criticised the new rule, calling it unfair and burdensome despite having valid documents and work visas.
Via: The Express Tribune
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