ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) apprehended 83 suspects in 2024 at the Karachi Airport on the basis of forged documents, according to the Performance Report of FIA Immigration.
The report said that 55 suspects were arrested for possessing fake visas while 28 were apprehended for having fake passports.
It said that multiple suspects, wanted by various agencies for serious crimes, were arrested based on the stop list.
The report also stated that during the last eight months, the immigration process for 2.79 million passengers was completed through 16,700 flights.
Additionally, modernization and improvement efforts continue at Karachi Airport. Using advanced technology, arrival and departure counters have been given direct access to the Interpol database.
In 2024, a second-line office equipped with modern forensic and IT equipment was established with the cooperation of ICMPD. The second-line office will help in verifying visas and passports.
The report stated that special training sessions were conducted for immigration officers on verifying travel documents.
A QR Code System has been introduced to get real-time feedback from passengers and share their experiences. Additionally, a new visa system has been successfully implemented.
The Special Immigration Facilitation Officers have been deployed to assist passengers.
The Director of Karachi Zone commended the performance of FIA Immigration at Karachi Airport.
“Ensuring the provision of the best immigration services to passengers is our priority,” said the Director of Karachi Zone, adding that the second-line offices are proving effective in preventing human trafficking.
The Director of Karachi Zone said that elements involved in visa fraud will be dealt with strictly, urging the citizens not to hand over their personal documents to anyone. He advised the citizens that always contact the relevant Country’s Embassy for visa acquisition.