LAHORE, Aug 31: The FIA immigration authorities claimed on Tuesday to have arrested 835 people for travelling abroad on forged documents during 2004. Officials said the passengers were caught while trying to leave for the developed countries of Europe and the US.

Only five people could slip out of the country on such documents during the first seven months of the year. Due to reduction in the number of 'unacceptable' passengers abroad, they said PIA escaped heavy fine imposed by the foreign countries.

They said the recently launched Personal Identification Secured System at the airport was also helping the authorities stop people from travelling abroad on stolen, picture changed (PC) passports and swapping of boarding cards.

The officials said the arrested people were also helpful in tracking human smuggling rackets. Since the promulgation of Human Trafficking Ordinance, 2002, many cases had been registered against human smugglers with strong evidence, they added. Deputy director (immigration) Mushtaq Sukhera said strict measures were adopted to control human trafficking.