A deported Pakistani-Australian leaped from Islamabad Airport’s second level, in a failed escape from FIA custody, suffering serious injuries amid ongoing deportation challenges.
Deported Dual National Injured in Dramatic Airport Escape:
A Pakistani-origin Australian national, deported back home after serving a criminal sentence abroad, made a shocking bid for freedom, by jumping from the second level of Islamabad International Airport while in Federal Investigation Agency custody. The fall left him with multiple serious injuries, prompting swift medical intervention and an official probe. This rare incident spotlights the human drama and security challenges in global deportation protocols, where individuals facing uncertain futures sometimes resort to extreme measures.
Midnight Escape at Islamabad Airport:
The drama unfolded in the pre-dawn hours of February 13, 2026, as Thai Airways flight TG-349 touched down at Islamabad International Airport. On board was the deportee, a dual-national who had just completed his prison term in Australia for an unspecified criminal offense.
Upon disembarking, FIA immigration officers took him into custody as per standard procedure for deportees requiring further processing. He was placed in a holding cell. According to officials, the man requested permission to use the washroom, which was granted under supervision.
Moments later, he allegedly bolted and leaped from the airport’s Level-2, plummeting to the ground floor near baggage Belt No. 2. The impact caused multiple fractures and other serious injuries. Airport security and Pakistan Airports Authority staff responded immediately, rushing him to a nearby Trauma Center for emergency care.
FIA sources confirmed the sequence of events, noting no immediate signs of foul play or external involvement. The agency has secured the area and begun reviewing surveillance footage.
Desperation Hits Islamabad Airport Amid Deportations:
This incident occurs amid a steady flow of deportations from Australia to Pakistan, often involving citizens who have violated immigration laws or committed crimes overseas. Australia’s Department of Home Affairs reports deporting over 1,200 individuals annually for criminal convictions, with Pakistan among the top recipient countries due to its large diaspora.
The deportee’s case fits a pattern; many such returns stem from drug-related offenses, fraud, or violent crimes, though specifics here remain undisclosed. Pakistan’s FIA, tasked with border control and immigration enforcement, handles thousands of deportees yearly-over 68,000 in 2025 alone, per the agency’s annual report. Most are processed smoothly, but tensions arise when individuals fear local repercussions or additional scrutiny.
Historically, airport escapes are rare but not unprecedented. In 2012, 57 Pakistanis deported from Greece overpowered FIA guards and fled at the same airport, leading to arrests and procedural reforms. More recently, in 2024, 14 deportees from Jeddah were detained upon arrival for similar reasons. These cases highlight ongoing challenges in securing facilities amid high volumes-Islamabad airport handles over 9 million passengers annually.