The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has introduced a new rule requiring Pakistanis travelling abroad for employment to submit an affidavit verified by a Grade 18 or 19 government officer, according to a report by The Express Tribune.
The affidavit must confirm that the traveller will work only at the stated place of employment and will not attempt to enter Europe illegally. The FIA says the measure aims to prevent human trafficking and the misuse of work visas.
In the past week alone, FIA immigration teams have offloaded around 150 passengers from flights at Lahore and other airports for failing to present the required affidavit. Officials said most of these passengers were heading to Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, or Thailand, with later plans to move illegally toward Europe via Libya or Baku.
“Only those presenting an affidavit verified by a senior government officer will be allowed to travel,” an FIA immigration officer at Lahore Airport stated.
To ensure smooth processing, the Protectorate of Emigrants has stationed inspectors at major airports. Their role is to verify employment documents and assist genuine overseas workers. Passengers travelling through the Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC) are being cleared without delay, while those linked to private recruitment agencies face longer verification times.
Despite the FIA’s intentions, many travellers have voiced frustration, calling the new policy unfair and inconvenient. Some argue that the rule adds unnecessary hurdles, even for those with valid work visas and verified employment offers.
Officials, however, maintain that the step is necessary to combat illegal migration and protect Pakistan’s image abroad. The FIA has said it will continue strict enforcement of the affidavit policy to ensure that only genuine workers travel overseas for employment.
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