Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced on Saturday that Pakistanis deported from foreign countries due to illegal immigration, criminal activity, or fraudulent documentation may face strict punitive measures upon return – such as passport cancellation and legal proceedings.
At a press conference in Islamabad, Naqvi announced that Pakistan’s government has developed a new policy framework aimed at discouraging illegal migration and restoring Pakistan’s credibility within the international community. His statement comes amid mounting pressure from European and Gulf nations which have reported an unprecedented spike in undocumented migrants coming from Pakistan over recent months.
“Those who travel illegally, commit crimes abroad or damage Pakistan’s image will not be met with impunity upon return,” Naqvi warned. He announced a zero-tolerance approach where repeat offenders will not only face passport cancellation but also legal action under relevant laws.
According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior, over 25,000 Pakistanis were deported from various countries over the past year – most commonly Gulf states, Turkey and parts of Europe. Many cases involved fake visas, fraudulent documents or employment fraud facilitated by human smuggling networks operating out of Pakistan.
Immigration authorities will now have more authority to review deportees’ criminal and immigration histories before sending them home, with those found guilty of violating foreign laws or engaging in smuggling operations being referred to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), who may face prosecution under Pakistan’s anti-human trafficking legislation.
Naqvi noted that this measure does not aim to punish ordinary citizens but rather combat system abusers.
“We are distinguishing between those who were victims of trafficking and those who broke laws deliberately to dishonor our nation,” he stated. “At the same time, we are working hard to dismantle mafias and agents that prey upon young people with false promises of work abroad.”
Human rights groups and migration experts reacted differently to this announcement; some saw it as an advancement towards responsible governance and international collaboration, while others warned of potential abuse or misidentification issues.
“While it is crucial for authorities to uphold legal standards and discourage illegal migration, they must also ensure deportees receive due process and their rights aren’t violated upon return,” stated Saima Shah, Director of Migration Rights Forum.
Naqvi confirmed in response to questions that Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has begun cooperating with Pakistani missions abroad to better share information and detect suspicious travel patterns early. Immigration desks at all major airports will also soon receive real-time connectivity with global watchlists and exit-control systems for enhanced surveillance capabilities.
As part of these measures, a special task force is being established to track down and apprehend human smugglers operating domestically. Reward programs for information leading to their arrest have also been promised as well as an awareness campaign targeting vulnerable communities across Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Naqvi stressed the need to protect Pakistan’s youth and uphold Pakistan’s global image on an equal playing field, saying this issue involved accountability rather than cruelty.
This policy should go into effect starting June 15, with a comprehensive implementation plan being released next week.
As global migration pressures intensify and host nations tighten border controls, Pakistan’s latest move signals its intent to respond strongly domestically to what officials describe as a growing national concern.