By Nazim Malik

Oman has become the latest country to impose visa restrictions on Pakistani citizens, further exacerbating concerns over increasing travel barriers faced by Pakistanis worldwide.
This move follows similar actions by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Thailand, and Malaysia, all of which have recently tightened their visa policies for Pakistanis, citing security, illegal immigration, and documentation concerns.
The growing number of countries imposing such restrictions indicates that Pakistanis are facing increasing scrutiny in global travel. This has sparked debates over the reasons behind these measures, with many attributing them to concerns over illegal migration, documentation fraud, and political instability in Pakistan.
FIA Cracks Down on Outbound Travelers to Curb Illegal Immigration
In response to rising international concerns over illegal migration, Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has decided to stop Pakistani citizens from traveling to at least 11 countries, including Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iran, and several European and Gulf nations, on suspicion of attempting illegal immigration.
The FIA is particularly focused on travelers using tourist visas as a means to enter these countries and subsequently seek asylum or attempt illegal crossings into Europe. In recent years, there has been a sharp increase in the number of Pakistanis attempting to migrate illegally, particularly via Turkey and Iran, which serve as major transit points for those seeking to enter Europe.
The FIA’s decision to tighten exit controls is seen as an attempt to reduce the number of Pakistanis being detained or deported from foreign countries due to immigration violations. However, this move could also create difficulties for genuine travelers, students, and businesspersons who may now face additional scrutiny when traveling abroad.
Shehbaz Government Concerned Over Visa Restrictions
The increasing visa restrictions imposed by multiple countries have alarmed the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. These restrictions not only impact business, tourism, and education opportunities for Pakistani citizens but also damage the country’s global reputation.
The Pakistani government is reportedly in diplomatic talks with various countries to ease these travel restrictions. However, concerns remain that unless Pakistan addresses issues related to illegal immigration, human trafficking, and document verification, more countries may follow suit in tightening their visa policies.
The economic impact of these restrictions could also be significant. Countries like the UAE and Malaysia have long been favored destinations for Pakistani workers, students, and tourists. If visa limitations persist, Pakistan could face a decline in remittances, reduced international trade opportunities, and limited mobility for professionals and students.
The Shehbaz government now faces the challenge of restoring trust with foreign governments, ensuring stricter immigration controls within Pakistan, and addressing the root causes that have led to these restrictions. Whether diplomatic efforts can reverse these measures remains to be seen, but for now, Pakistani travelers are facing tougher conditions when seeking visas for many destinations.