FIA Arrests Chinese National and Two Officials in Alleged Visa Facilitation Network
The Federal Investigation Agency has uncovered an alleged illegal visa and immigration facilitation network operating in Islamabad.
The FIA’s Anti-Corruption Unit in Islamabad arrested three suspects, including a Chinese national and two government officials.
Those arrested include Chinese national Xiao Jingping, also known as Jack or Jason, an Immigration and Passports Department official, and an Islamabad Police Special Protection Unit official.
Sources identified the officials as Junaid Mughal from the Immigration and Passports Department and Zafar Iqbal from the SPU.
The FIA also recovered approximately Rs20 million in cash, along with documents and other material during the investigation.
A case has been registered against the suspects. The allegations remain subject to investigation and court proceedings.
Investigators believe the alleged network helped foreign nationals obtain immigration clearance and facilitated their movements in return for payments.
The case emerged during investigations into foreign nationals accused of violating visa conditions and allegedly operating through call and digital centres in Islamabad.
According to the source report, some foreign nationals questioned by the FIA’s Anti-Human Trafficking Cell disclosed information about an alleged organised facilitation system involving officials from multiple departments.
Rs80,000 Per Passenger Allegedly Charged for Immigration Clearance
The investigation reportedly gained momentum after Xiao Jingping made further disclosures on August 15.
According to the FIA source report, Xiao alleged that Junaid Mughal and Zafar Iqbal, along with other individuals, facilitated immigration clearance for foreign passengers.
Investigators allege that Rs80,000 was charged for each passenger receiving such assistance.
The alleged payments were reportedly linked to immigration clearance and other forms of facilitation.
Officials also found WhatsApp conversations and payment receipts that investigators believe support parts of the allegations.
The digital material was reportedly recovered from the mobile phone of one of the suspects.
Following these disclosures, FIA Islamabad Zone Director Shahzad Nadeem Bukhari formed a special raiding team.
The operation was led by Anti-Corruption Cell Assistant Director Umar Arsalan and Inspector Raja Faheem.
The team later raided Junaid Mughal’s residence in Ghori Town, Islamabad, and arrested him.
During the initial investigation, officials reportedly recovered WhatsApp chats and other records showing communications and alleged financial transactions involving Xiao, Zafar and additional individuals.
According to investigators, Mughal allegedly admitted receiving payments from Xiao for providing immigration-related assistance.
The FIA further alleges that these payments were connected to the release of foreign nationals previously arrested from Sparco Plaza in Gulberg Greens, Islamabad.
Mughal is also accused of previously helping foreign nationals obtain immigration clearance.
Probe Expands Over Alleged Payments to Officials and Protection of Foreign Nationals
The investigation is not limited to immigration clearance.
There are also allegations that officials from other institutions may have received payments to protect foreign nationals allegedly involved in unlawful activities.
According to the report, officials of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency were allegedly being paid monthly amounts in exchange for protection.
No independent finding of wrongdoing against those officials has yet been established in the reported investigation.
The FIA is expected to examine financial records, mobile phone communications and other evidence to determine whether additional officials or private individuals were involved.
Investigators are also examining how foreign nationals allegedly obtained assistance despite visa restrictions.
The case could widen if evidence establishes links between immigration officials, police personnel and other individuals.
The recovery of cash, payment receipts and WhatsApp conversations is expected to form a key part of the investigation.
Authorities will also seek to determine how long the alleged network operated and how many foreign nationals may have benefited.
For now, the three arrested suspects face allegations of corruption and illegal facilitation.
Any final determination of criminal responsibility will depend on further investigation and subsequent court proceedings.
