2025-07-13T05:43:42Z

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In a remarkable incident that has captured the attention of both media and public in Pakistan, a domestic passenger, identified as Shahzain, accidentally boarded an international flight to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, instead of his intended destination, Karachi. The situation raises significant concerns regarding the airport's security protocols and passenger verification processes at Lahore Airport, as Shahzain did not possess a passport or visa to travel internationally.

Shahzain had booked a routine flight with a private airline from Lahore to Karachi, which should have been a straightforward domestic travel experience. However, unbeknownst to him, he inadvertently boarded a flight heading overseas. In a shocking twist, he only realized his mistake two hours into the journey when he noticed that the plane was not descending towards Karachi.

“Two planes were parked at the domestic terminal gate. I handed over my ticket, and no one stopped me or asked for any travel documents,” Shahzain recounted in an interview with ARY News. His alarming experience highlights a serious breach of protocol, as airline staff failed to properly verify his boarding pass and neglected to check for the absence of necessary international travel documents.

As the flight continued, panic ensued among the crew when Shahzain inquired about the absence of Karachi in their flight path. “They seemed to panic and blamed me for the mistake,” he stated. Shahzain was informed by the crew that arranging his return to Pakistan could take up to three days, leaving him stranded in a foreign country without any means of legal travel.

In a bid to address the distress caused by this incident, Shahzain has taken legal action against the airline, issuing a formal notice that accuses the company of gross negligence. He is seeking compensation for not only the travel expenses incurred but also for the emotional distress caused during this harrowing ordeal.

The incident has garnered attention from Pakistan's airport authorities, who are now examining the airline's accountability regarding this lapse in passenger management. A senior official from the airport authorities remarked, “This is a clear case of negligence and carelessness on the airline’s part. The passenger had no passport or visa. He should never have been allowed on an international flight.”

In response to the incident, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is expected to launch a thorough inquiry to understand how a passenger without valid travel documents was permitted to board an international flight, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced security measures at airports to prevent such occurrences in the future.