ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has offloaded four passengers at Islamabad International Airport after detecting fake work visas during routine immigration checks, underscoring intensified efforts to curb document fraud and illegal overseas travel.
According to FIA officials, the passengers were scheduled to depart on an international flight when immigration staff identified discrepancies in their travel documents. A detailed examination revealed that the work visas presented by the individuals were not genuine, prompting immediate action by the authorities. The passengers were subsequently barred from boarding and taken into custody for further questioning.
Sources within the FIA said the offloaded individuals were attempting to travel abroad for employment purposes and had relied on forged documentation, allegedly arranged through unauthorised agents. Protector stamps on the passports, issued from different cities, further raised suspicion and led to the involvement of the FIA’s anti-human smuggling wing to probe the matter in depth.
Officials stated that investigations are underway to determine whether an organised network of visa forgers or illegal travel facilitators is behind the incident. Authorities are also working to trace the agents who may have charged large sums of money from unsuspecting citizens by promising overseas employment on the basis of fake documents.
The FIA said such actions are part of a broader nationwide crackdown against human smuggling, illegal migration and document forgery. With a growing number of Pakistanis seeking employment abroad, law enforcement agencies have stepped up checks at airports to prevent fraudulent travel and protect the country’s international standing.
The incident comes amid repeated government assurances that passengers with valid and complete documentation will not be stopped unnecessarily, while those attempting to travel on fake or suspicious papers will face strict legal action. Officials have urged the public to verify visas through proper channels and avoid dealing with unregistered agents to prevent financial loss and legal trouble.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.