The case came to light when Muhammad Kamran and Aamir Shahzad were detained during secondary profiling at Islamabad International Airport while they were preparing to travel to France. The two claimed that they were FBR officials traveling on official duty and presented forged email correspondence to support their claim.
After verification, FIA officials discovered that the documents were fake and that the individuals were not part of an official FBR delegation.
Further investigation revealed that a senior FBR official, Atiq ur Rehman Chaudhary, allegedly misused his official position and government email account to facilitate foreign visas for private individuals. They included a driver and a real estate dealer, who were misrepresented as government officials to obtain visas.
According to FIA sources, the officer reportedly received millions of rupees in return for arranging these fraudulent visas. An FIA official said: “This is a clear case of abuse of power and falsification carried out under the cover of an official institution.”
The Anti-Corruption Circle of the FIA has registered a criminal case against the accused officer and his accomplices under the relevant laws. Kamran and Shahzad were taken into custody at the airport while further raids and investigations are underway.
The FIA is now reviewing all visas issued under the name FBR to identify additional beneficiaries and determine the full extent of the scam. Authorities say strict legal action will be taken against all involved.
This case comes amid increasing scrutiny of visa fraud networks in Pakistan, especially following tips shared by foreign embassies about suspicious visa applications. The scandal has once again highlighted the need for stronger internal controls and accountability within government institutions.
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