Thailand has announced a crackdown on Pakistani nationals attempting to travel with forged documents, following a surge in visa fraud and human trafficking cases. In response to growing concerns, the Thai consulate in Pakistan has introduced stricter requirements for e-visa applicants. Applicants are now mandated to submit original documents, including genuine airline tickets and hotel bookings, to secure a visa. The consulate has issued a stern warning that any travel agents or individuals found submitting fraudulent documents will be blacklisted, with legal action pending.
This move comes on the heels of a high-profile incident in October 2024, where Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) apprehended two individuals at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport attempting to travel with counterfeit visas. One suspect, Nazar Abbas, was attempting to travel to the Turks and Caicos Islands with a fake Cuban visa, while the other, Umme Salma, was caught attempting to board a flight to Iraq with a forged Iraqi visa.
The Thai consulate’s actions are part of broader efforts to clamp down on human trafficking and visa fraud. In light of these rising issues, the FIA of Pakistan has also issued its first travel advisory in two decades, with a focus on travelers between the ages of 15-40 using airlines such as FlyDubai and Ethiopian Airlines. The advisory highlights the need for increased scrutiny of passengers holding tourist, religious, or educational visas for high-risk destinations.
Data from the FIA has pinpointed 15 regions, including Ethiopia, Libya, and Russia, as known hubs for human trafficking routes to Europe. Additionally, the advisory calls for closer monitoring of passengers from specific Pakistani cities, such as Gujrat, Sialkot, and Mandi Bahauddin, areas identified as frequent points of origin for illicit travel based on recent profiling.
This crackdown underscores the ongoing issue of visa violations, with more than 200 Pakistani nationals being deported from various countries, including the United States, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, for visa-related infractions and trafficking concerns. Last week, twelve of those deported were arrested upon their return to Karachi.
Thailand’s enhanced visa policies and Pakistan’s heightened vigilance aim to address the growing concerns over illegal migration and organized crime networks exploiting the travel system for human trafficking and fraudulent activities.
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