Pakistan, June 1 -- The Federal Investigation (FIA) offloaded 39,786 passengers in 2025 under a "lawful, intelligence-driven and risk-based system" to curb irregular migration and human smuggling, a top official said on Sunday.

Speaking to a select group of senior journalists, Immigration Additional Director General Nouman Siddiqui said passenger offloading, often criticised publicly, was primarily a preventive step aimed at saving lives, protecting citizens from exploitation abroad and safeguarding Pakistan's international image.

"Offloading decisions are not arbitrary," he asserted. They are based on immigration concerns, suspicious travel patterns, document verification, destination-country requirements and established standard opera...