Islamabad, Jan 30 (IANS) An incident involving two individuals trying to travel to France on forged credentials, uncovered by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) at Islamabad International Airport, exposes a nexus between immigration fraud, abuse of official authority in Pakistan, and the continuous challenge of illegal migration, a report has stated.
"While it initially involved two individuals attempting to travel to France on forged credentials, the implications extend well beyond a routine interception at an airport. The case points to deeper institutional vulnerabilities and raises serious questions about governance, accountability, and the misuse of public office within a key regulatory authority," an editorial in Pakistan-based Business Recorder detailed.
The case involves alleged involvement of a senior tax official at the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), who is accused of facilitating fraudulent French visit visas by exploiting the authority of his position, and credibility of a crucial government department. By portraying themselves as FBR employees and claiming to be part of an official delegation, the suspects tried to hide their plans in bureaucratic legitimacy.
The fabricated email exchange they showed at the airport apparently between a Gmail account and an official-looking FBR email address, with the subject referring to meetings and a visit to the European Parliament—demonstrating an attempt to avoid probe by Pakistani authorities and foreign embassies, the editorial in the Business Recorder mentioned.
When the individuals were asked for verification, they did not provide any formal travel authorisation, evidence of employment, or official correspondence from the FBR. Further analysis of their travel itinerary, including a same-day Paris to Barcelona trip, contradicted their stated purpose of the visit and indicated their intention to stay in Europe and seek asylum.
"Such cases reinforce the perception that visit visas are frequently misused as gateways to irregular migration, harming Pakistan’s international standing and complicating travel for genuine citizens who follow legal procedures. Analysis of the suspects’ mobile phones and financial records adds another serious dimension to the case," the Business Recorder stated.
"Evidence of sustained WhatsApp contact with the alleged facilitator and bank transfers involving millions of rupees suggests that this was not an isolated attempt, but part of an organised and lucrative visa-fraud operation. If proven it would point not only to personal corruption but also serious failures in internal oversight that allowed a government official to operate with apparent impunity," it added.
--IANS
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