Thailand has announced strict measures against Pakistanis traveling with fake documents, following a series of incidents involving counterfeit visas. The Thai Consulate in Karachi has issued revised guidelines, emphasizing the need for authentic documentation, including valid airline tickets and hotel reservations, for e-visa applications.¹
The move comes after Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested two individuals at Karachi's Jinnah International Airport for attempting to travel abroad with counterfeit visas in October. The suspects, Nazar Abbas and Umme Salma, were caught with fake visas for Iraq and the Turks and Caicos Islands, respectively.
To combat human trafficking, the FIA has issued a travel advisory, instructing strict monitoring of passengers from 15 countries, including Azerbaijan, Ethiopia, and Russia, and nine cities in Pakistan. Passengers aged 15-40 traveling on FlyDubai and Ethiopian Airlines will be subject to enhanced monitoring.
Key Measures:
- Revised Guidelines: The Thai Consulate in Karachi has issued revised guidelines, emphasizing the need for authentic documentation.
- Severe Penalties: Individuals or travel agencies found submitting falsified documents will face severe penalties, including blacklisting.
- Enhanced Monitoring: Passengers from 15 countries and nine cities in Pakistan will be subject to enhanced monitoring.
- Travel Advisory: The FIA has issued a travel advisory aimed at combating human trafficking.
The Thai government's decision to implement strict measures is a significant step towards combating human trafficking and ensuring the safety of its citizens. Pakistan's FIA has also taken proactive measures to address the issue, and the collaboration between the two countries is expected to yield positive results.
The Star