The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Immigration on Wednesday denied reports that it has barred passengers from other provinces from flying abroad from Karachi airport, saying travellers from all provinces continue to depart without obstruction.
An FIA spokesperson in Karachi said the agency “rejects such claims as no such ban is in place,” and repeated that immigration checks and profiling have tightened only in specific cases. Officials said the stepped-up screening aims to protect citizens from agents who mislead people onto illegal routes, including maritime departures.
The FIA confirmed that first-time international travellers — particularly those who do not belong to Sindh — face additional verification before clearance. Officials said the policy applies especially to people who choose Karachi airport instead of their nearest provincial airport; such passengers must explain their departure-point choice before officers clear them to travel.
Sources told local media that immigration offloaded 57 passengers from one recent flight: 35 Umrah pilgrims and 22 travellers holding employment visas. The report also said immigration did not stamp the passports of the offloaded passengers.
The FIA reiterated that passengers who present valid documentation and satisfactory explanations encounter no difficulty. The agency added that, under the new routine, passport holders from Punjab making their first international trip are expected to use nearby airports in their home province.