RAWALPINDI: The deputy director and an assistant director of FIA immigration at the Benazir Bhutto Airport have been transferred and three senior officials suspended after the British High Commission complained to the government that 10 Afghan nationals on a PIA flight from Islamabad were found to have fake travel documents at the Heathrow Airport last month.

The Federal Investigation Agency also launched an investigation against the PIA staff and its task force who were on duty at the time. But none of them has so far been charged.

Also read: Eight Afghans held for fake documents

According to sources, the PIA officials at the airport were allegedly involved in the matter.

10 Afghan nationals caught with fake travel documents at London airport

After preliminary investigation, the FIA director general ordered the transfer of deputy director Mohibullah Mandukhail and assistant director Matiullah. Inspector immigration Rana Abid, general checker Zafar Iqbal and counter officer Shahzad Gul were suspended and a departmental inquiry was ordered against them.

FIA director Inam Ghani has been appointed inquiry officer.

A PIA spokesman told Dawn that the airline was also investigating if any of its staff was involved in human smuggling.

“None of the PIA staff has so far been charged or called by the FIA investigating officer for questioning,” he said.

Published in Dawn, October 4th , 2014