Two passengers arrested at Lahore airport over fake Netherlands visas

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Immigration arrested two passengers at Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore for allegedly attempting to travel abroad on fake Netherlands visit visas.

According to reports, the passengers, Qaiser Munir and Ali Hassan, were scheduled to travel to the Netherlands on Qatar Airways flight QR-629. During immigration checks, officials found that the Netherlands visit visas affixed to their passports were fake.

Initial investigations revealed that the two passengers had struck a deal with an agent  for Rs4 million each to arrange the visas. Both had transferred an advance payment of Rs2 million each to the agent’s bank account. Evidence of the money transfer was also recovered from one passenger’s mobile phone.

The FIA Immigration Lahore offloaded both passengers and handed them over to the FIA Anti-Human Trafficking Circle Lahore for further investigation and legal action.

The agency said it would continue its operations against agents involved in fake visas, illegal migration and human smuggling. Such activities not only damage Pakistan’s international reputation but also create difficulties for genuine travellers, it added.