The Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Anti-Human Smuggling Cell has dismantled a large-scale visa fraud network involving the issuance of fraudulent Pakistani e-visas to Afghan nationals. The scam allegedly involved officials from Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Information.
According to media reports, FIA authorities arrested two Afghan nationals in Islamabad’s G-8 sector. A total of six individuals are currently facing charges in connection with the fraud, and additional suspects are still at large.
FIA said that the fraudulent operation was being run from car showrooms in the G-8 area, where suspects bypassed standard immigration procedures. The fraudulent network provided expedited tourist visas within 24 to 48 hours at a cost of $750, with Ministry of Information employees allegedly pocketing 80% of the fee.Â
Additionally, the group issued other types of visas, including 10-day tourist visas, medical visas, and business visas, all priced at $350 each.
The FIA’s filed report named Samiullah Afridi, a lower-level staff member at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as the leader of the scheme. Afridi allegedly worked in collaboration with Malik Muneebur Rehman, a travel agent, Nadir Raheem Abbasi from the Press Information Department (PID), and others.Â
Transactions related to the scam were routed through the bank accounts of Afridi’s cousin, Abdul Aziz Afridi, who owns a car showroom in G-8. Abdul Aziz is also the brother of a senior official at the Foreign Office based in Kabul.
Samiullah Afridi’s personal bank account reportedly received nearly Rs40 million in connection with the illegal activities. One of the detained individuals, Atif Ahmadzai, was found to be operating an online travel agency facilitating these fraudulent e-visa applications. The agency bypassed official financial channels and utilized hawala methods to move funds.
Acting on reliable intelligence, FIA officials raided the showroom and arrested Abdul Aziz Afridi and Atif Ahmadzai. Ahmadzai, who was residing in Pakistan illegally, confirmed in his statement that he and the others involved in the scam had been issuing e-visas for a substantial fee. The FIA continues to pursue additional suspects and further investigate the full extent of the operation.
