Minister takes notice of overseas workers being offloaded, orders FIA action

Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik Hussain directed on Thursday the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to immediately address and resolve the issue of overseas workers being offloaded at airports.

The minister chaired a high-level meeting, which was also attended by Director General FIA Riffat Mukhtar and Secretary Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis Nadeem Aslam Chaudhary and a delegation from the Pakistan Overseas Employment Promoters Association, said a notification by the information ministry.

The DG FIA informed the minister that incidents of workers being offloaded were reported at Lahore and Karachi airports.

The overseas minister said that the workers were being offloaded at different airports despite having work visas and protector certificates.

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“Pakistanis going abroad for employment are highly respected by us, and no one will be allowed to unlawfully stop them at airports,” the minister said.

He added that the overseas Pakistanis send foreign remittances to Pakistan, which drives the national economy. The minister instructed the DG FIA that no work visa holder will be offloaded at airports in the future.

Director General FIA Riffat Mukhtar informed that investigations were underway and if any FIA officials were found involved, strict action will be taken against them.

He further said that no new conditions were imposed by the FIA for those traveling abroad on work visas, nor has any new requirement been introduced for obtaining an affidavit from a government officer.

“A new digital system will soon be introduced, through which workers can complete their immigration online before departure,” the DG FIA said.