ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has made significant strides in combating the issuance of fake Pakistani passports to Afghan nationals.
Following the identification provided by an arrested individual named Dost Mohammad, the FIA’s anti-corruption division has apprehended three more suspects in Attock. These individuals, operating as ‘agents,’ allegedly colluded with officials from the National Database Regulatory Authority (NADRA) to fabricate documentation for passport issuance.
The FIA has announced that the arrested suspects will be presented before the court on Saturday, underscoring the agency’s commitment to prosecuting those involved in such fraudulent activities.
This latest arrest comes on the heels of a major crackdown conducted on February 13, during which the FIA apprehended 15 suspects, including seven officers from both NADRA and Passport Immigration. Among those arrested were three Assistant Directors from Passport Immigration and four NADRA officers. Additionally, four agents and five Afghan nationals were detained in the operation.
The FIA initiated this operation based on complaints received from NADRA and the Passport Office, unveiling a sophisticated criminal syndicate involved in the large-scale production of counterfeit Pakistani passports. The arrests mark a significant breakthrough in efforts to curb passport fraud and maintain the integrity of the country’s immigration and documentation systems.
To date, a total of 16 individuals have been apprehended in connection with this case, according to FIA sources. The agency continues its investigation to root out any remaining individuals involved in similar illicit activities, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring the security and authenticity of Pakistani passports.
