The Pakistani government has introduced a new policy imposing a five-year travel ban on citizens deported from foreign countries due to criminal offenses or other undesirable activities. The policy, which affects individuals on a special Passport Control List (PCL), aims to monitor and regulate the movement of individuals with a history of misconduct abroad.
On Thursday, the government of Pakistan announced a significant new policy that will prevent individuals deported from foreign countries from traveling abroad for five years. This move, confirmed by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in a written statement to the Senate, applies to Pakistanis who have been deported due to criminal offenses or other “undesirable” activities. These individuals will be added to a special list, the Passport Control List (PCL), which prohibits them from obtaining new passports or traveling internationally during the five-year period.
The new policy has been officially endorsed by the federal cabinet and is set to be enforced immediately. According to sources within the Interior Ministry, the ban may be extended beyond the initial five-year period if a relevant government department submits a formal request with sufficient justification. This could apply in cases where an individual’s behavior or history of criminal activity requires additional monitoring or restriction.
The primary aim of the travel ban is to control the activities of Pakistanis who have been returned to the country after facing legal or behavioral issues abroad. By imposing this restriction, the government intends to prevent the further movement of individuals involved in criminal activities or other behavior deemed harmful to Pakistan’s international relations or security.
The enforcement of the Passport Control List is seen as part of a broader effort by the government to ensure that deported individuals face consequences for their actions, particularly those who have been involved in illegal activities while living overseas.
