The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has unearthed a major visa scandal involving officials from the interior and foreign ministries allegedly facilitating the illegal issuance of e-visas to Afghan nationals.
In the latest development, the FIA’s Anti-Human Trafficking Circle arrested two more suspects — Nader Rahim and Azizullah Afridi — bringing the total number of arrests in the case to four.
Sources privy to the investigation said that Mr Rahim is employed with the Press Information Department of a government institution, while Mr Afridi’s bank account was reportedly used for financial transactions with Afghan nationals seeking illegal visas.
Earlier, the FIA had arrested two Afghan nationals — Atif and Ahmed Zeb — who were found to be residing illegally in Pakistan. During preliminary interrogation, both suspects disclosed key information pointing towards the involvement of government employees and intermediaries.
The agency has also launched a manhunt for two other individuals suspected to be at the centre of the scandal: Samiullah Afridi, an official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Malik Muneeb, a private agent allegedly facilitating the issuance of fake e-visas. Raids are currently underway to apprehend both suspects.
Sources in the FIA further revealed that credible evidence has been obtained indicating the involvement of certain officials from the Ministry of Interior as well. These officials allegedly helped process and approve visa applications in violation of standard procedures.
“This is not just a case of individual wrongdoing but points towards a coordinated network that exploited official resources to bypass immigration controls,” an FIA official said.
The agency has begun scrutinising records of e-visa issuances over the past year to identify other potential irregularities. Investigators are also probing the financial trails connected to the suspects, particularly transactions conducted through Mr Afridi’s account.
