&w=3840&q=100)
Pakistani books Lahore to Karachi ticket, reaches via deportation from Saudi
A Pakistani man, who was supposed to fly from Lahore to Karachi, ended up in Jeddah after mistakenly boarding the wrong plane, sparking major concerns about airline procedures and airport security, reported Gulf News.
On July 8, Malik Shahzain Ahmed was travelling with Air Sial, a private carrier, when he boarded a flight at Lahore Airport.
However, he didn't realise that the plane was headed to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.
Two hours into the flight, he noticed something was off when it became clear the plane was going international.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
'I asked myself, 'This plane doesn't seem to be landing soon.' That's when I realised I had boarded the wrong plane,' Ahmed said in a video statement released following the incident.
Shockingly, he had boarded without a passport—a basic requirement for such travel.
When he landed in Jeddah, Saudi immigration detained him due to the missing passport, but later deported him back to Lahore once the mix-up was sorted out.
To make matters worse, Ahmed claimed Air Sial refused to cover his travel to Karachi, insisting he buy a new ticket despite their mistake.
Pakistani authorities hold Air Sial accountable
The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) confirmed the incident and held Air Sial responsible.
PAA spokesperson Saifullah told Gulf News that a report was sent to the Civil Aviation Authority, pushing for a hefty fine on the airline for the blunder.
How Ahmed slipped through immigration at Lahore without a passport remains unexplained, raising serious questions about security checks.
Critics are calling it a 'systemic failure.'
The PAA promised to tighten security and verification processes to avoid such incidents in the future. Many see this as a glaring example of negligence that could've led to bigger diplomatic or legal issues if Saudi authorities hadn't handled it smoothly.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
6 hours ago
- India.com
UP Police Bust Unlawful Religious Conversions Syndicate, Arrest 10 People
The Uttar Pradesh Police, under Mission Asmita, have arrested 10 individuals across six states in a crackdown on an unlawful religious conversion syndicate. The UP Police held a press conference to provide information about the syndicate. The operation, led by the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and Special Task Force (STF), uncovered foreign funding from Canada, the US, London, and Dubai, with links to radicalisation and terror groups, including alleged ties to PFI, SDPI, and Pakistani terror organisations. Key accused Mohammad Umar Gautam, Mufti Jahangir Alam Qasmi, and Chhangur Baba alias Jamaluddin were apprehended for orchestrating conversions through enticement and "love jihad," targeting young girls. The syndicate's methods mirror ISIS tactics, with investigations ongoing to probe international "jihadi" funding aimed at threatening national security. During the press conference, Uttar Pradesh DGP Rajeev Krishna stated, "UP Police had launched Mission Asmita, where a few accused of the unlawful religious conversion syndicate were arrested. The ATS arrested Mohammad Umar Gautam and Mufti Jahangir Alam Qasmi. In this connection, the unlawful religious conversion syndicate of Chhangur Baba alias Jamaluddin alias Jamaluddin was busted. The ATS and STF investigations are underway. Few shocking things have come to light - international 'jihadi' funding for 'jihad' was received, radicalisation and unlawful religious conversion to hamper national security..." He further added, "In this connection, 10 people across 6 states have been arrested. They especially influenced young girls through enticement, love jihad and other methods for religious conversion. This modus operandi of unlawful religious conversion is the signature of ISIS. So far, in preliminary investigation, there are indications of this group having ties with PFI, SDPI and Pakistani terror far, evidence has been gathered about funding from Canada, America, London and Dubai and involvement of people residing there. Further action is being taken." In a related case, Agra Police arrested 10 individuals following a missing persons report of two sisters, Ameena (33) and Zoya (18), in March 2025. The case, registered under BNS sections and the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, revealed a network promoting radicalisation and conversions through foreign funds. Agra SSP Deepak Kumar said, "In March this year, a missing report of Ameena and Zoya - two sisters aged 33 and 18, was registered at Thana Sadar Bazar PS. Going by the seriousness of the matter, the case was registered under sections of the BNS and the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act. Then the case was transferred to our Cyber PS. The complete information was shared with DGP (L&O) and ADG..." Agra SSP Deepak Kumar confirmed that non-bailable warrants were issued, and teams were dispatched to 11 locations across Bengal, Goa, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh to apprehend the accused. Evidence points to the use of "love jihad" and radicalisation tactics, with the syndicate's operations reflecting ISIS's signature style.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
10 held in J&K for using encrypted apps to aid terror; Pak handlers guiding them, say officials; Police seize digital evidence in UAPA case
NEW DELHI: Ten people have been detained by the counter-intelligence wing of Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday. The officials said these people were detained for allegedly using encrypted messaging applications to coordinate, finance, and execute terror activities on the instructions of Pakistan-based handlers. The detentions were made following the searches conducted by the Counter-Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) across 10 locations in Budgam, Pulwama, Ganderbal, and Srinagar districts. The action is linked to a 2-year-old terror-related case registered under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Section 120-B of the Indian Penal Code. During the ongoing investigation, suspicious technical signatures were traced at the targeted locations, the officials said. Several suspects were using a 'specific encrypted messaging application' widely used by terrorist handlers from across the border for activities including recruitment, financing, and operational coordination, the analysis revealed further. 'These individuals are suspected to be in touch with adversaries, including Abdullah Gazi, a Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)/Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) handler,' officials said. They also said the handler operates in close coordination with Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI. The handler was actively trying to radicalise local youth and recruit them into terror ranks, as per the police. Investigators said the encrypted application's servers revealed links to the terror module based in a known Pakistani city. The police seized a large number of documentary evidence and digital devices relevant to the case during the searches. 'So far, 10 suspects have been rounded up. Analysis of the seized data will help uncover further leads for investigation,' officials said. They said that the operation aims not only to disrupt terror activities but also to prevent local youth from being radicalised. 'It is also aimed to uncover crucial evidence, curb illicit activities, prevent the misuse of mobile phones, and dismantle the terror ecosystem in the Union Territory by identifying terror associates and Over Ground Workers (OGWs),' police said. Legal action against the suspects will follow as per law, they added.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
Gulf visa rejected? Avoid these 5 common mistakes in 2025
Mistakes in documentation, passport validity, or financial proof are among the leading reasons why expats face visa rejections across the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia in 2025/Representative Image TL;DR: GCC visa rejections have surged, particularly affecting applicants in the UAE , Qatar, and Saudi. The top five frequent reasons include: incorrect or incomplete documentation, passport validity issues, financial insufficiency, previous visa violations, and missing sponsor/employer info. Mistakes are often preventable with careful checks, applicants can avoid pitfalls by double-checking forms, ensuring document quality and validity, and following embassy guidelines. In 2025, applicants across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are facing an uptick in visa refusals; tourist, work, business, and residence alike. As per travel agents, the UAE visa rejection rates have jumped to 5–6%, compared to just 1–2% before, while Qatar and Saudi have implemented stricter entry criteria. A leading contributor isn't policy change, it's avoidable mistakes: from mistyped names to unsupported finances. With emotional and financial costs high, clearing up these common errors can save thousands and safeguard future travel. 1. Incorrect or Incomplete Forms & Poor Documentation A small typo in your name, date of birth, or passport number can trigger an automatic rejection. Visa-issuing systems rely on exact matches, and inconsistencies are common grounds for denial. UAE: One travel-tech site notes that misspellings or mismatches are top reasons for automatic visa rejections. Qatar: 'Incomplete application or incorrect details' is the leading cited cause. Regular travellers stress the importance of precise entries and high-quality scans. How to avoid: Double-check every field against official documents before applying. Use high-resolution scans and digital copy backups. 2. Expired or Insufficient Passport Validity GCC countries uniformly require passports valid for at least six months beyond intended travel dates. UAE & Qatar standardly reject applications with less than six months' validity. Travel forums mention outright denials with any validity gap. How to avoid: Renew your passport early. Verify the new expiry date both in person and in digital documents. 3. Insufficient Financial Evidence Authorities must verify applicants can support themselves during their stay, especially for tourist, business, or family visit visas. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 1 Cup Of This (Before Bed) Can Melt Fat Like Never Before The Healthy Way Learn More Undo Qatar requires recent bank statements, proof of salary, and minimum daily funds. UAE travel advisories suggest a minimum of AED 5,000 (~USD 1,360) in your account for shorter stays. How to avoid: Submit three months of bank statements, employer salary confirmation, and a thorough breakdown of your finances if needed. 4. Past Visa Violations & Criminal Records Immigration systems track previous overstays, deportations, criminal cases, and visa status. A prior violation often leads to automatic denial. UAE denial rates rose to 5–6%, often due to past overstays. Qatar refusal commonly stems from overstays or criminal history. Social media users report residents being denied due to a prior stay, even when they've lived in the GCC for decades. How to avoid: Rectify past visa issues before applying: clear fines, cancel old permits, and disclose any infractions transparently. 5. Errors in Sponsor or Employer Information For work, residence, or business visas, correct sponsor details are essential. Incomplete or mismatched data is a fast track to rejection. UAE rejections often stem from missing Emirates ID or inconsistent sponsor details. Communities mentions issues like corporate structure changes or inadequate documentation from Free Zone sponsors. How to avoid: Ensure sponsor documentation is fully updated: commercial licence, tenant information, sponsorship letters and complete sponsor forms accurately. Quick-Check Checklist Avoiding GCC visa rejection in 2025 comes down to attention to detail and documentation prep. Here's a quick checklist: Exact matching of personal details with passport Passport valid for at least 6 months Clear, recent bank statements (covering USD 100/day or AED 5K total) No incomplete or misleading documents (IDs, invite letters, employment records) No past overstays, visa issues, or criminal history unresolved Complete sponsor/employer documents and Emirates ID registration By proactively reviewing these areas, applicants can significantly reduce rejection risk and enhance approval chances. FAQ 1. Can I reapply after a GCC visa rejection? Yes, once you correct the issue cited in the rejection, you can reapply immediately. 2. Will a rejection in one GCC country affect others? Not directly, but serious issues like overstays or criminal records may appear in shared security databases. 3. How can I check the reason for rejection? Use official portals like UAE's ICP, Qatar's MOI e-services, or Saudi's Absher for status updates. 4. How soon can I reapply? You can usually reapply right after addressing the error, unless a ban or hold is applied.
