FIA makes affidavit verification mandatory for every work visa for Pakistani citizens traveling abroad to curb illegal migration attempts to Europe.
According to The Express Tribune, the affidavit confirms that the traveler will only work at the location mentioned in the work visa for Pakistani employees and will not attempt to enter Europe illegally through third countries.
During the first week of enforcement, FIA off-loaded around 150 passengers at major airports, including Lahore, for not providing the verified affidavit. The action follows several incidents where individuals traveled to Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, or Thailand on valid visas but later tried to cross into Europe through Libya or Baku.
An FIA immigration officer said only passengers carrying a properly signed affidavit can now leave the country for employment. The Protectorate of Emigrants has placed inspectors at airports to verify documents and assist travelers with the process.
Passengers going abroad through the Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC) are being cleared quickly, while those using private recruitment agencies face additional verification steps for their work visa for Pakistani workers.
Some of the passengers have presented the rule as unfair, that even after they are in possession of valid work visas of Pakistani citizens, they are held in delays and additional checks. The government has been pressured by travelers to take action against the so-called phishing recruiting agencies rather than putting barriers to the genuine employees.
The new FIA policy is aimed at deterring unlawful migration and also legalizing the Pakistani employee to travel to a foreign nation only under the checked employment channels.
