Daily Times

Sindh Tourism Minister Zulfiqar Shah has revealed that dozens of Pakistanis were detained in Iraq for travelling on fake visas and passports. The minister noted that these individuals were subsequently deported.

Shah also said that the UAE and other countries have tightened visa requirements for Pakistanis due to similar complaints. On July 12, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested two key members of a gang involved in a massive visa fraud scheme that deceived over 350 citizens.

According to an FIA spokesperson, the suspects, identified as Ghulam Murtaza and Anjum Javed, were apprehended during a raid in Islamabad. Speaking at a ceremony for travel and tour operators on Wednesday, Shah stated, “We have initiated actions against companies and travel agencies involved in human smuggling, fake passports, and fake visas”. “We need the cooperation of travel and tour operators in this effort. Licences of those involved in illegal activities will be revoked.” The event was attended by Sindh Minister for Local Government Saeed Ghani, former provincial assembly member Abdul Rashid, Chairman Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town Dr Fawad Ahmed, Jamaat-e-Islami leader and CEO of Dunya Travel and Tours Hafiz Farhan Ahmed, and Waqas Azmi. Shah disclosed that the UAE Consul General had complained about a large number of Pakistanis absconding upon entering the UAE, leading to stricter visa conditions for Pakistanis.

He emphasised that some travel agencies are implicated in these illicit activities. “Travel agents’ associations should identify these fraudulent agents to facilitate our actions,” Shah said. “These individuals not only cause problems for Pakistanis abroad but also tarnish Pakistan’s reputation. Every country has tightened their visa policies for us, making it difficult worldwide.” Saeed Ghani, Sindh’s Labour Minister, highlighted that despite the country’s economic challenges, the number of pilgrims travelling to the holy sites has not decreased.