ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has exposed an illegal immigration scheme reportedly involving a senior officer of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
According to FIA sources, the officer allegedly helped Pakistani nationals travel illegally to France by falsely presenting them as members of an official government delegation.
The suspects, Muhammad Kamran and Aamir Shahzad, were intercepted at Islamabad International Airport while attempting to depart on visit visas. During immigration clearance, officials noticed discrepancies in their travel documents and flagged them for secondary profiling. Both passengers were offloaded, and a First Information Report (FIR) was registered against them.
The duo claimed they were FBR employees traveling as part of an official delegation for meetings and visits, including the European Parliament. They presented an email allegedly exchanged with Atiq ur Rahman Chaudhary, identified as Second Secretary at FBR, referencing proposed engagements with the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
FIA verification revealed the claims were false. The suspects had no official government positions, travel authorisation, employment records, or approval from FBR. Investigators also discovered plans for the suspects to continue to Spain and seek asylum, indicating a premeditated escape from legal jurisdiction.
Further investigation implicated Chaudhary in arranging French visas for private individuals under the guise of FBR affiliation, allegedly misusing his official designation, identity, and FBR email for fraudulent purposes. A forensic review of suspects’ mobile phones revealed contacts of other visa applicants, communication regarding visa processing, and records of payments linked to the illegal travel scheme.
Financial analysis suggested that millions of rupees were transferred into accounts associated with Chaudhary, allegedly as payments for facilitating illegal travel. The FIA described the operation as a systematic network promoting illegal migration while generating unlawful financial benefits.
Authorities have recommended a coordinated verification process with FBR and a thorough review of visit visas issued by the French Embassy and other foreign missions to individuals claiming FBR affiliation. Investigators aim to identify all beneficiaries and facilitators involved in the network.
