MULTAN, Punjab: The Federal Investigation Agency stopped three passengers and arrested an immigration official at Multan International Airport over an alleged attempt to travel using forged UAE residence cards.
An FIA spokesperson identified the passengers as Aakash, Shahzaib and Muhammad Shoaib. Immigration officials intercepted them before they boarded the Flydubai flight FZ326 for the United Arab Emirates.
The FIA said agents based in Hasilpur supplied the fake residence cards through WhatsApp. Investigators said the passengers paid the agents to arrange the documents and help them clear immigration.
Authorities also detained an immigration official accused of entering incorrect passenger details into the system to facilitate their departure.
FIA personnel recovered the allegedly forged travel documents, mobile phones and concealed Umrah visa papers during the operation.
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Investigators said the passengers planned to enter the UAE using the residence cards, present the Umrah visa documents later and travel onward through Saudi Arabia to other countries without legal clearance.
The FIA transferred the three passengers and the immigration official to the Anti-Human Trafficking Circle Multan for further investigation and legal action.
Officials said investigators were identifying the Hasilpur-based agents and examining the wider network involved in arranging the documents.
