https://arab.news/8xdye
- The passenger had obtained documents in exchange for money through multiple agents, authorities say
- Islamabad tightened airport security checks after several passengers were found carrying fake documents
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Sunday said it had offloaded a passenger at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, foiling his attempt to travel to Saudi Arabia on forged documents.
Pakistan has recently intensified security checks at airports, resulting in offloading of passengers found carrying forged work permits, counterfeit visas and fake driving licenses. Authorities say such documents are often used to facilitate illegal travel or unauthorized employment abroad.
The FIA said the passenger offloaded on Sunday was traveling to Saudi Arabia on a work visa based on a fake driving license along with a protector clearance that he had obtained through multiple agents.
“During verification, the presented driving license was found to be suspicious,” an FIA spokesperson said.
“The identity card number mentioned on the license did not match the passenger’s original CNIC number... In view of the use of forged documents and suspicious circumstances, the passenger was offloaded.”
Suspicion arose when the QR code on the license displayed the details of another person instead of the passenger, who had never applied for a driving license and instead obtained it through an agent in Rawalpindi in exchange for money, according to the agency.
The suspect revealed during questioning that he had obtained his Saudi work visa through another agent, while his protector clearance was allegedly arranged by an overseas employment promoter.
The FIA said the matter was handed over to the Anti-Human Trafficking Circle in Karachi for further investigation and legal action.