Four passengers were offloaded at Islamabad International Airport on Thursday after immigration officials detected suspected fake work visas during routine checks, officials from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) confirmed.
According to authorities, the passengers were attempting to travel to New Zealand when discrepancies were identified in their travel documents.
What Officials Found During Immigration Checks
FIA officials said the four individuals — Muhammad Imran, Mian Tauseef, Sultan Afzal and Abdul Rehman — were scheduled to board flight CZ8070. During screening, immigration staff flagged their work visas as suspected forgeries.
Further examination revealed that the passports carried protector stamps from offices in Rawalpindi, Abbottabad, and Peshawar, which raised additional concerns for authorities.
FIA Launches Investigation
Following the discovery, the FIA’s Anti-Human Smuggling Cell took the passengers into custody for questioning. Officials said a formal investigation has been launched to verify the visas and trace the travel agent allegedly involved in the case.
Authorities believe the incident may be linked to a wider illegal migration and visa fraud network.
Government Tightens Immigration Oversight
The development comes amid renewed directives from Shehbaz Sharif, who has called for stricter immigration controls while ensuring protection for travellers holding valid documents.
According to FIA data, 451 individuals involved in human trafficking and illegal migration have been arrested in recent months as part of ongoing crackdowns.
Growing Concerns Among Legitimate Travellers
In recent months, several travellers have complained about being offloaded despite having complete documentation. The prime minister has instructed authorities to ensure that law-abiding passengers are not treated as illegal migrants during screening procedures.
Officials say balancing strict enforcement with fair treatment remains a key priority.
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