KARACHI, Feb 21: The FIA (Immigration) has intercepted 21 Afghan nationals at the airport, who were going to Saudi Arabia on forged passports and travel documents.

The Afghans, holding Afghan passports, when reached the Immigration counter at the airport to proceed to Saudi Arabia by flight No SV-705, the staff suspected that their passports and visas were forged, Assistant Director FIA Immigration Javed Mughal said.

The other travel documents were also checked, which also appeared to be fake. The photographs on the passports were replaced tactfully and the holders of the passports failed to satisfy the immigration staff, Mr Mughal said.

All of the 21 Afghan people were detained and handed over to the FIA Passport Cell, where an FIR 24/2002 was registered against them under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code and Foreigners Act 1946.