Pakistan is facing a wave of unemployment, nepotism, and institutional weaknesses that have crippled the lives of ordinary citizens. The recent developments at airports across the country have added another painful chapter to this ongoing crisis. Following the tragic “dunki boat” incident in the Mediterranean Sea, authorities have launched a crackdown—ironically not on illegal migrants, but on those who follow the law.
Today, countless individuals who possess valid work visas, protector stamps, and complete documentation are being off-loaded by FIA officials at airports. This practice is not only unjustified but also unlawful. Those who leave through illegal routes are beyond the system’s radar, yet the burden falls on those who uphold legal pathways.
The unemployment rate, currently estimated above 7.1%, reflects the gravity of economic distress in Pakistan. Jobs are scarce, and the few available opportunities are often distributed on the basis of connections rather than competence. Nepotism and bribery have made meritocracy impossible. Governments change, yet the pattern remains: political workers and relatives are given priority, while qualified individuals are sidelined.
In desperation, young Pakistanis sell their mothers’ and wives’ jewelry to secure work visas for Gulf countries. This is their last hope to provide a livelihood for their families. But when they arrive at the airport, they are stopped under the pretext of curbing illegal migration. Under Pakistani law, no authority has the right to stop a person with a valid work visa and protector stamp. Yet these law-abiding citizens are humiliated and deprived of their only chance to escape poverty.
FIA’s internal structure and reputation further darken the picture. For decades, there has been no accountability—no audits, no checks on the unexplained wealth of certain officials, and no oversight on how authority is being misused. From bottom to top, the chain of influence remains intact, and justice remains out of reach for common people.
To cover up its own failures, FIA has shifted the blame toward innocent workers. Instead of targeting real human traffickers, the crackdown is directed toward genuine travelers. This approach is not only unethical but also economically devastating. Overseas Pakistani workers send billions in remittances every year, yet the state denies them dignity and ease at the very first step.
Regrettably, the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and the Bureau of Emigration have also fallen short in fulfilling their responsibilities. Their silence and inefficiency have allowed the problem to grow unchecked. If these institutions actively protected the rights of outbound workers, ensured transparency at airports, and demanded accountability from FIA, thousands of innocent families would be saved from economic destruction.
This is not the time for silence. Parliament, courts, civil society, and media must treat this issue as a national emergency. If the country cannot provide jobs at home, it must at least protect the legal avenues through which people seek opportunities abroad.
I urge the government:
Stop the economic assassination of unemployed youth.
Respect the legal rights of every citizen.