RAWALPINDI: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has established pre-departure facilitation desks at all its zonal offices across Pakistan to assist international travellers, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced on Sunday. The initiative comes in response to widespread complaints regarding the large-scale offloading of passengers at airports.
The move follows reports that approximately 66,154 passengers were offloaded in 2025 despite holding valid travel documents, particularly at Lahore and Karachi airports. The surge in offloading occurred amid intensified checks following the 2024 Greece boat tragedy, which claimed the lives of several Pakistani migrants.
Pleased to share that the Federal Investigation Agency has launched Pre-Departure Facilitation Desks across all zonal offices, with immediate effect.
These desks will provide guidance & assistance to international travelers on immigration procedures/clearances, ensuring a…— Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) January 4, 2026
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had previously ordered the formation of a special committee to investigate the frequent offloading incidents, which had raised concerns among passengers and attracted criticism in the media.
Taking to his X account, Naqvi wrote: “Pleased to share that the Federal Investigation Agency (@FIA Pakistan) has launched Pre-Departure Facilitation Desks across all zonal offices with immediate effect.”
According to FIA officials, the facilitation desks aim to provide guidance on immigration procedures, visa requirements, and other travel-related clearances to ensure smoother travel experiences for passengers. The desks will be accessible at eleven zonal offices nationwide, including Islamabad’s G/6 office, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, and additional offices in Gujranwala, Faisalabad, and Multan.
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An FIA spokesman said the desks will operate from 9am to 5pm daily, including weekends, and will be staffed by experienced immigration personnel. “The immigration staff, headed by an assistant director and assisted by an inspector and sub-inspector, will provide information on visa requirements, return tickets, allowable currency, and other travel-related details,” he explained.
The desks will also offer assistance via helplines and email services, providing support for both Pakistani and foreign nationals planning international travel. The initiative is intended to reduce confusion and prevent incidents of offloading due to incomplete documentation or procedural misunderstandings.
FIA authorities informed the National Assembly Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development last month that the number of passengers offloaded in 2025 had nearly doubled compared to 2024, when 35,000 travellers were denied departure. The agency had previously been reluctant to share detailed information about the offloading incidents despite repeated media queries and passenger complaints.
The pre-departure facilitation desks are part of broader efforts by the government to streamline travel processes, enhance service delivery, and ensure compliance with immigration regulations while safeguarding the rights of travellers.
