An unusual and troubling incident took place at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport involving a passenger named Qudratullah.
According to reports, members of the Airblue ticketing team allegedly tore the passenger’s passport while issuing boarding documents for flight PA-170, which was scheduled to leave for Jeddah.
Because of the damaged passport, the airline refused to let him board the flight. As a result, the aircraft took off without him, leaving the passenger stranded at the airport.
The situation caused him a serious financial setback, as he had paid large travel and accommodation expenses for his journey. These losses are estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands of rupees.
In response to what happened, Qudratullah protested at the airline counter and demanded answers. After the argument, the airline refunded the cost of his ticket, but the remaining expenses linked to his travel plan were not recovered.
Officials from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) later confirmed that traveling on a damaged passport is not allowed under aviation rules. They said that passengers must have a passport in good condition to cross borders.
Once a passport is torn, marked, or invalidated, it cannot be used for international flights. The FIA advised that the passenger will need to apply for a new passport before he can plan to travel again.
The case has raised concerns about how the passport was damaged in the first place, and whether the airline staff acted carelessly or deliberately. Many passengers have expressed worry on social media, saying the incident highlights the need for stronger checks and clear responsibility at airport counters.
For now, authorities have not announced any action against the involved staff, but the incident remains under review. It has become an example of how a single error can disrupt a person’s entire travel plan.
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