Woes of Pakistani expats
MY son, holding a valid work visa for Malaysia, was detained at Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore, by immigration people who openly demanded money with threats that they would get him offloaded from his flight if he did not met their demand.
What choice do you have but to either oblige or call on telephone some acquaintances to get facilitated. Pakistani passport-holders are being discriminated within Pakistan because the immigration dares not harass dual nationality-holders for fear that they may complain to their newly-adopted nation’s embassies.
As for unfortunate Pakistani nationals, there is no redressal for their grievances. Our government never tires of beating the drum of loyal expatriate Pakistanis, mostly holding single Pakistani passport, repatriating billions of dollars annually to Pakistan.
But other than mere rhetoric, there is nothing concrete on the ground to display any appreciation.
If you complain to the airline, they state that this is beyond its jurisdiction and, in any case, these immigration postings at airports are achieved by paying hefty amounts to superiors and, therefore, this practice is here to stay.