Saudi Arabian authorities have discovered 12,000 Pakistani passports in the possession of Afghan nationals, a revelation made on Thursday. This development coincides with a robust effort by law enforcement agencies to crack down on illicit networks engaged in the creation of counterfeit citizenship documents, particularly targeting Afghan migrants in the country.
Sources disclosed to Geo News that Saudi officials have communicated their findings to the Pakistani embassy in Riyadh, detailing the recovery of a substantial number of Pakistani passports from Afghan citizens. In response, Director General of the Immigration and Passports Directorate, Mustafa Kazi, alongside the Federal Investigation Agency, has initiated an investigation into this matter.
The investigations have culminated in the apprehension of Umar Javed, the prime suspect responsible for the creation of fraudulent passports. The arrest of Javed follows the detention and questioning of a former officer and a currently serving grade-15 officer from the Passport Directorate. Sources have conveyed that the Pakistani passports were issued to Afghan nationals based on counterfeit identity cards.
They further added that Director General Kazi, who recently assumed his position, is working closely with FIA officials to root out those complicit in the production of fake passports. While Geo News reached out to the Pakistani envoy in Saudi Arabia for a statement, he declined to comment on the matter.
On another front, an official from the interior ministry, speaking on condition of anonymity, assured that the Passports Directorate is fully aware of its obligations. Furthermore, a comprehensive inquiry is underway, and National Database Registration Authority (Nadra) data is being cross-verified in the process.
During a session with the Senate Committee on Interior, Nadra Chairman Lieutenant General Munir Afsar disclosed that some of his organization's personnel were engaged in the issuance of counterfeit Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs). This revelation occurred as the committee addressed the concerns regarding fake CNICs, the sale of citizens' family data on the black market, and the issuance of multiple SIMs linked to a single CNIC, which are utilized in illegal activities.
General Afsar informed the lawmakers that action had been taken against the employees involved in any form of illicit activities, resulting in the suspension of around 84 officials to date. Nevertheless, he highlighted that employees often escape penalties due to the absence of legislation covering privacy matters.
In response, the Senate panel recommended the implementation of contemporary measures to tackle these issues.