Crack down operation launched against Nadra, passport officials

E-Paper | June 14, 2026

comments

Join our Whatsapp Channel

Add Dawn as a trusted source

-Photo by Reuters

LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Tuesday arrested at least two dozen suspects, including deputy director and assistant director of Directorate general of immigration and passports, allegedly involved in a fake passport scam.

Yesterday, a British tabloid had allegedly uncovered a visa scam involving Pakistan’s Olympic contingent.

According to the investigations, a group of travel agents and a politician named Abid Choudhary, are involved in the scam which allows anyone to travel with the Pakistani contingent as support staff if they pay a certain amount of money.

Several raiding teams of the FIA launched a crack-down operation in Lahore and arrested at least two dozen employees of Nadra, immigration and passport office and several other independent agents.

Immigration/ passport office’s Deputy Director Shahid Iqbal and Assistant Director Mubashir Tirmizi have also been taken into custody for questioning.

The FIA has also confiscated records and computers of several travel agents.

Earlier, eight employees of Nadra have been suspended and Chairman Nadra Tariq Malik had ordered inquiry into the matter.

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

Pakistan

Budget 2026-27: Govt slammed over provincial freeze as budget debate opens

21 terrorists killed in North Waziristan in 72 hours: ISPR

Pakistan ‘secures entry’ to first FIFA ASEAN Cup

humdard

Jul 24, 2012 02:54pm

man another crush to Pakistan's credibility among world peers....sad

Recommend 0

amj, usa

Jul 26, 2012 12:49pm

Pakistani people please do something to stop all this, even if they catch this people they will come out of jail in few months and start again, who will stop all this before it is too late

Recommend 0

King Cobra

Jul 24, 2012 03:35pm

Its a shame that when UK news paper reported scam everyone is now ready to arrest culperts I am sure lots of people knew about them but no one was willing to come out to talk about that.. Its not just one case. This country to close to collapse and no body is to blame except people of Pakistan who close their eyes when they see any crime or scam but because they are coward but think maybe we have to get some benefit latter from these people.

Recommend 0

Jamshed Khan

Jul 24, 2012 02:09pm

Get em!

Recommend 0

amj

Jul 26, 2012 12:44pm

pakistani people please do something for your country to stop all this

Recommend 0

riz

Jul 24, 2012 03:16pm

make them an example... should be dealt with iron hand

Recommend 0

sikander

Jul 24, 2012 04:03pm

this has been going on for past 30 yrs. I remember several guys showed up in L.A with Olympic team, Later dis-appeared.. I know first hand as they came looking for jobs.

Recommend 0

Riaz Murtaza

Jul 24, 2012 02:13pm

What a corrupt people from the elite to the general public in Pakistan. I have almost lost my confidence on any of you ! Corruption is deep routed in the nation. I agree with Mr. Hassan Nisar that " hamari qaum ko corruption ki 'gurti' mili huwai hai ". I am an very patriot expatriate Pakistan who is 67 yrs old and have lived only 8 yrs of life in the country. I can count many of my actions and deeds being a patriot and I wish each and every Pakistani is at least like me. I have still not lost my faith, inshallah there will be peace and prosperity in the country. My earnest wish is that the politicians, parliamentarians and rulers should be from the poor and middle class.

Recommend 0

Qureshi

Jul 24, 2012 02:11pm

I really hope this is a genuine effort to catch the culprits/erradicate corruption and not a witch hunt against small fish in a pond of big sharks.

Recommend 0

GMKhan

Jul 24, 2012 03:47pm

We as a nation made another headline.Corruption in every sphere of our nation has become a hallmark.When there is no accountability, people go to any length to cheat the system.

Recommend 0

G.a

Jul 24, 2012 01:49pm

Crackdown, cover up or just rounding up the usual suspects?

Recommend 0

Capt Khan

Jul 24, 2012 01:44pm

Why blame NADRA or Immigration?

Recommend 0

Zishi

Jul 24, 2012 01:35pm

Damage has been done. It is everywhere in the news in UK and and God forbid if something happens now during Olympics, the world will be pointing fingers towards Pakistan. We all know what going to happen to these corrupt people. Nothing.!! The will pay buy their way out of this by paying bribes. They are making mockery of this country but no problem because they have got politicians and ministers behind them. And who can touch a politician in Pakistan. A massive embarrassment for Pakistanis living and working in UK. What a shame.

Recommend 0

Iqbal Khan

Jul 24, 2012 01:32pm

What have we created in the name of Pakistan?

Recommend 0

S. Khan

Jul 24, 2012 05:11pm

Shame of these people for bringing a bad name to our country.

Recommend 0

drkhalidfcps

Jul 24, 2012 07:01pm

Seem s as if a very big thing has been exposed by FIA and other agencies. The fact is it is very common in NADRA, Passport department to give nationality to any one , from any where for a few thousand rupees. Employees have earned billions. Lacks of Afghan refugees are now having Pakistani IDs and Passports and are serving as government employees. Terrorists can get Pak ID and passport very easily and for a few rupees. Just go to any NADRA or any Passport office and try it. Touts will love to facilitate you. No verification needed if you pay handsomely.

Recommend 0

syed

Jul 24, 2012 11:35pm

The menace of corruption continues to destroy the Pakistani society, what to expect from PPP government as they are the original flag bearers of corruption which was injected into Pakistani system when PPP came to power in 70's. Honest and hard working Pakistanis should play a decisive role in getting rid of corrupt elements, even if they claim to be protector of democracy.

Recommend 0

saythetruth

Jul 24, 2012 11:48pm

This shows the level of corruption in Pakistan at every level. Government officials treat their position as a business and abuse their power to generate money for themselves through bribery. Just looks at the scams from the former PM Glani son, Haj Minister to local MP's, MNA's almost all are abusing their positions. Bribery is being treated as soft crime and it eating our nations inside out.

Recommend 0

zstrading

Jul 25, 2012 12:12am

I'm sorry to say, how can you expect fair trial in presence of Malik. We have a rule and regulation but only need implementation. But question is this who will be the first. Most of the cabinet members involved in corruption. Many cases still in under SC. Symble of corruption is President himself. Again we are expecting fair trial.......

Recommend 0

Branded Content

Why SQD-Mini LED is the display breakthrough we’ve been waiting for?

The display industry is entering a new phase, where reducing trade-offs is as important as pushing performance limits.

The Palms at Silk Gardens introduces a new family address in Karachi

The Palms places families at the heart of its vision, offering thoughtfully planned 2 and 3-bedroom units in a secure, peaceful and community-led environment.