FIA uncovers network issuing fake Pakistani passports to Afghans

By Arif Mehdi

KARACHI: The Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Counter-Terrorism Wing (CTW) on Monday claimed to have uncovered a major network allegedly involved in obtaining Pakistani passports for Afghan nationals through forged Pakistani documents during a raid on a passport office in Karachi.

According to FIA officials, the operation was carried out at the passport office near Awami Markaz on Shahrah-e-Faisal after intelligence reports suggested irregularities in the processing of passport applications.

During the raid, officials scrutinised records and seized documents linked to dozens of suspicious cases.

Passport office official detained

The FIA said an assistant director of the passport office was taken into custody during the operation. Investigators are examining the official’s alleged role in facilitating the processing of passports for foreign nationals through fraudulent means.

Officials added that the raid formed part of a broader crackdown against organised networks involved in document forgery and identity fraud, which they said posed serious national security concerns.

Documents linked to over 70 suspects recovered

The agency said documents relating to the issuance of passports for more than 70 suspected foreign nationals were recovered from the premises. Preliminary investigations suggest that many of the individuals may be Afghan citizens, though authorities said the matter was still being verified.

The FIA said further investigations were under way to determine the extent of the network, identify facilitators and establish whether additional government officials were involved.

Authorities indicated that more arrests could follow as the probe progresses.