Roundtrip tickets mandatory for international air travel

ISLAMABAD: Roundtrip tickets from the same airline has been made mandatory for all passengers going abroad on visit visas.

According to media reports, in this regard, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) have sent letters to all domestic and foreign airlines.

In the letter, both organisations have instructed the airlines not to issue boarding cards and tickets to passengers who do not have roundtrip tickets.

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Travel agencies have been instructed to inform customers about this new requirement. Airlines have also been directed to ensure that no passenger departs without a valid roundtrip ticket. Passengers are urged to verify their travel documents and ensure they meet all conditions before departure.

For two-way tickets issued on visit visas, in case of separate airline tickets, the PNR number must also be the same and passengers with low profiles must be checked at airports as per instructions.

This decision is aimed at ensuring that individuals traveling to foreign destinations have a confirmed return to Pakistan, which helps with immigration and visa compliance.

The new policy comes in response to concerns over travelers overstaying their visas or getting stranded due to incomplete travel arrangements. It is also seen as a measure to protect Pakistan’s international relations and ease the burden on diplomatic missions, which often deal with stranded citizens abroad.