KARACHI: Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has uncovered significant irregularities during an ongoing investigation into the alleged issuance of Pakistani passports to Afghan nationals through fraudulent means.
According to officials, preliminary findings suggest the existence of an organized criminal network involving facilitators, agents, individuals using false identities, and officials from the Passport Department and the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).
Organized Network Allegedly Involved
Investigators received credible information indicating that a coordinated group was helping foreign nationals obtain Pakistani passports by falsely presenting them as Pakistani citizens.
Authorities allege that the network used forged, manipulated, and fraudulent documents, including:
- Family Registration Certificates (FRCs)
- Computerized identity records
- Other official identification documents
These documents were allegedly created or altered to establish a false claim of Pakistani citizenship.
Seventy-Two Passports Issued
According to the investigation, a total of 72 Pakistani passports were issued to Afghan nationals through the Awami Markaz Branch of the Passport Office in Karachi.
Officials stated that:
- 53 passports were processed by Farooq Sial, an Assistant Director.
- 19 passports were processed by Muhammad Baqar Raza, who was serving as the night-shift in-charge.
Investigators believe that these passports were issued in violation of established procedures and without proper verification of the applicants’ nationality and identity.
FIA Launches Formal Inquiry
Based on the information received, the FIA Counter Terrorism Wing in Karachi registered an official inquiry into the matter.
Investigators subsequently obtained all 72 passport application forms and related records from the Regional Passport Office in Saddar, Karachi.
The documents were seized for examination as part of the ongoing investigation.
Evidence of Systematic Fraud
The preliminary review of the records reportedly revealed multiple suspicious patterns, irregularities, and signs of tampering.
Officials noted that the findings point to a coordinated criminal operation rather than isolated incidents.
Among the concerns identified were:
- Passports issued on the basis of suspected forged documents.
- Contradictions and irregularities in Family Registration Certificates and supporting records.
- Questionable identity information that raised serious doubts regarding authenticity.
Signs of Photo Manipulation
Investigators also reported discovering evidence of photo tampering in several applications.
According to officials, the alterations appear to have been made to conceal the true identities of applicants and facilitate the issuance of travel documents under false credentials.
Repeated Contact Numbers Raise Suspicion
Another significant finding involved the repeated use of identical contact numbers across multiple applications.
Authorities observed that several applications belonging to apparently unrelated individuals listed the same phone numbers.
Investigators believe this pattern suggests the involvement of common agents or facilitators who coordinated the applications.
Possible Collusion by Officials
The FIA suspects that facilitators and agents may have worked in collaboration with officials from the Passport Department and NADRA.
Investigators are examining whether public officials knowingly assisted in bypassing verification procedures or ignored warning signs during the processing of applications.
Investigation Continues
Authorities have emphasized that the inquiry remains ongoing and that further arrests or disciplinary actions may follow depending on the evidence collected.
The case is being viewed as a serious breach of immigration and identity verification procedures, with officials stressing the need to protect the integrity of Pakistan’s citizenship and passport systems.
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