The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Immigration authorities offloaded two Pakistani gay men at Karachi airport after questioning them about their plans to travel to Thailand and later move to Europe.
According to an FIA spokesperson, the passengers were identified as Shahid, a resident of Muzaffargarh, and Khalil, a resident of Sialkot. Both were travelling to Thailand on Pakistani passports with tourist visas.
During immigration questioning, Shahid told officials that he had previously lived in Europe for a long period. He said he planned to travel to Thailand with Khalil and enter into a same-sex marriage there. He further told officials that they intended to have the marriage registered in Europe afterward.
The FIA said Khalil also confirmed the stated purpose of their trip. He told immigration officials that he had first met Shahid in 2017 and that the two had remained in contact since then.
Khalil further stated that Shahid had been providing him with financial assistance of around Rs. 60,000 per month. According to his statement, the two eventually wanted to live together in Europe.
The FIA spokesperson said authorities considered further scrutiny necessary regarding the passengers’ stated travel purpose, the nature of their planned visit to Thailand and their possible intention to travel onward to Europe.
As a result, immigration officials stopped both passengers from boarding their flight and offloaded them at Karachi airport.
The FIA said immigration authorities examine passengers’ travel documents and state reasons for travelling in accordance with relevant laws and established procedures.
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