The National Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution calling on the government to investigate the offloading of passengers who possess valid travel documents at airports across the country, amid growing public concern over the issue.
The resolution was moved by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) lawmaker Agha Rafiullah, who urged the government to take immediate steps to probe incidents in which travellers were prevented from boarding flights despite having complete and valid documentation. Over the past several months, numerous such incidents have been reported at various international airports, triggering criticism from passengers and rights advocates.
According to the text of the resolution, the government was asked not only to conduct an inquiry into the offloading practices but also to recommend administrative reforms. These reforms aim to ensure transparency, accountability and the protection of passenger rights. The resolution further emphasised the need for improved communication and proper documentation so that all offloading decisions are lawful and clearly justified.
The National Assembly unanimously passed a resolution demanding that the government probe the offloading of documented passengers at various airports across the country.https://t.co/PNTx579ZtK
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) January 13, 2026
After the resolution was presented, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq put it to a vote. With no member opposing the motion, it was passed unanimously by the House.
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The issue of offloading has remained under discussion in recent months, with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) linking the practice to an ongoing crackdown on migrant smuggling. The agency has maintained that passengers are being stopped primarily due to incomplete, insufficient or unverifiable travel documents, particularly in cases where there is a risk of illegal migration.
Public anger over the matter intensified in mid-December, prompting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to take notice and constitute a special committee to review the complaints and examine the procedures being followed at airports.
Earlier this month, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi directed the FIA to carry out strict screening of travel documents at all airports. He stated that the measure was necessary to safeguard Pakistan’s passport credibility and prevent misuse of legal travel channels.
In the first week of December, the interior minister had claimed that between 50 and 70 passengers were being offloaded daily, which he estimated would amount to fewer than 22,000 passengers annually. However, official data later revealed that the actual figure for 2025 was significantly higher.
According to official statistics, a total of 66,000 passengers were offloaded during the year. FIA Director General Riffat Mukhtar Raja stated that out of these, around 51,000 individuals were stopped by the agency due to insufficient or unverified documentation.
The unanimously passed resolution reflects growing concern within parliament over the balance between immigration enforcement and the rights of legitimate travellers, and places renewed pressure on the government to address the issue in a transparent and accountable manner.
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