FIA Arrests Multiple Suspects in Visa-Fraud and Smuggling Raids Across Pakistan

Overview

• FIA Immigration off-loaded two outgoing passengers at Islamabad International Airport after detecting fraudulent travel documents.
• Officials identified the passengers as Hasnain Azhar, who allegedly used a fake Portuguese resident card, and Muhammad Atif, who was reportedly linked to illegal travel agents for Europe.
• The FIA Anti-Human Trafficking Circle arrested Tahir Shehbaz and Rab Nawaz in Islamabad for allegedly charging large sums and attempting to send at least 12 people to the United States using forged documents.
• Separately, the FIA Gujranwala zone arrested six suspects in Lahore and Gujranwala who allegedly defrauded citizens of Rs36.8 million, including a key accused, Sajid Chahal, reportedly wanted in five FIA cases.
• All detainees were moved to the Anti-Human Trafficking Circle for legal action, and investigators said further raids are underway to identify facilitators and dismantle the networks.