ISLAMABAD – The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has uncovered a major visa scam involving fake Pakistani e-visas issued to Afghan nationals, allegedly with help from officials in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Information.
The FIA’s Anti-Human Smuggling Cell arrested two Afghan nationals during a raid in Islamabad’s G-8 sector. So far, six people are under investigation, while several others linked to the scam remain at large. The agency believes the operation was coordinated through local car showrooms.
According to the FIA, the suspects provided tourist visas within 24 to 48 hours for $750, bypassing legal immigration channels. Employees of the Ministry of Information allegedly received up to 80% of the fees collected from these illegal services. The group also offered business, medical, and 10-day tourist visas for $350 each.
Investigators named Samiullah Afridi, a junior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as the ringleader. He reportedly partnered with travel agent Malik Muneebur Rehman and Press Information Department official Nadir Raheem Abbasi. The funds were funneled through the bank account of Afridi’s cousin, Abdul Aziz Afridi, a car showroom owner in G-8.
During the raid, FIA officials arrested Abdul Aziz and Atif Ahmadzai, who ran an online travel agency and was living in Pakistan illegally. Ahmadzai admitted to charging heavy fees for fake e-visas and using informal hawala channels to move money. Samiullah Afridi’s personal account received nearly Rs40 million from these illegal activities.
The FIA is continuing its investigation and expects more arrests as it tracks down the remaining members of the network. Authorities say this crackdown is part of broader efforts to tighten visa controls and prevent future abuse.