Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik Hussain has taken notice of allegations that Pakistani airport officials are blocking passports and extorting expatriates by demanding hefty bribes. He has written to the Ministry of Interior, urging an inquiry into the matter.
The issue came to light after the Pakistan Business Forum (PBF) in France sent a letter on March 3 to both the minister and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, outlining serious complaints from overseas Pakistanis.
The letter, a copy of which is available with Dotwas signed by Patron-in-Chief of the France Business Forum Muhammad Ibrahim Dar, Chairman Sardar Zahoor Iqbal, and President Haji Muhammad Aslam Chaudhry.
According to the letter, thousands of overseas Pakistanis, particularly those residing in Italy, Greece, Portugal, and other European countries, are being harassed at Pakistani airports. It claims that corrupt officials are using the pretext of passport blocking to demand bribes ranging from PKR 400,000 to PKR 500,000 per passenger.
Citing a news report, the PBF states that the government has blocked numerous passports, but corrupt airport staff are exploiting this situation. The letter describes how expatriates returning to Pakistan are allegedly stopped and pressured into paying bribes, or else they risk being denied entry or facing delays in their travel.
“This is a new method of harassment,” the letter states. “Overseas Pakistanis are being stopped and forced to pay massive bribes, disrupting their travel plans and causing them severe distress.”
The letter further highlights that the overseas community had just begun celebrating the resumption of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights when this new crisis emerged. PBF urged the government to take immediate action, restore expatriates’ confidence, and prevent further exploitation.
In response, Chaudhry Salik Hussain has formally written to the Ministry of Interior, recommending a thorough investigation into the allegations.
“This is a very sensitive issue that must be addressed without delay,” he said. “Overseas Pakistanis are our national asset, and they should not face such unjust treatment.”
The minister emphasized that those involved in corrupt practices must be identified and held accountable. He also announced the establishment of a facilitation desk at airports to assist overseas Pakistanis and prevent further incidents.
“The abuse of expatriates will not be tolerated,” Hussain stated. “We will ensure their concerns are addressed and their rights protected.”
