FIA arrests Mardan agent over fake Thailand work visa

ISLAMABAD – The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Anti-Human Trafficking Circle Peshawar has arrested an agent from Mardan for allegedly preparing a fake Thailand employment visa and facilitating overseas travel while a deported passenger who had travelled on the allegedly forged visa was also detained at Peshawar Airport.

According to the FIA, an FIR No. FIR-AHTC-PSH-132/26 was registered in the case on August 28, 2026.

Passenger offloaded at Peshawar Airport

According to the FIR, Bakhti Rawan, son of Khan Nawab, a resident of Katlang, Mardan was offloaded on August 28 during immigration clearance at Bacha Khan International Airport, Peshawar while arriving on flight QR-600 from Doha to Peshawar.

When FIA officials checked the passenger’s mobile phone, they allegedly found images of a purportedly altered Thailand work/employment visa along with images of the original tourist visa.

Visa allegedly obtained for Rs630,000

According to the FIR, during interrogation, Bakhti Rawan stated that he had obtained a Thailand visit visa through an agent, Noor Muhammad, a resident of Lund Khwar, Gulshanabad Khas, Mardan for Rs630,000. The passenger reportedly said that he had previously been offloaded at Islamabad International Airport after being classified as a “low-profile” passenger.

It is alleged that the agent subsequently forged the original tourist visa and converted it into an employment visa. Based on the allegedly forged documents, the passenger obtained clearance from the Protector of Emigrants and travelled abroad from Peshawar Airport.

Arrest and deportation from Thailand

According to the FIR, the passenger allegedly discarded the visa during the flight and later attempted to enter Thailand again using the same tourist visa. However, he was reportedly apprehended at Bangkok Airport. He was subsequently deported and sent back to Peshawar on August 26, 2026.

Agent arrested in Mardan

According to the FIA, Bakhti Rawan was arrested upon his return to Pakistan while alleged agent Noor Muhammad was also arrested during a raid in Lund Khwar, Mardan in connection with the same case.

The FIA has registered a case against the suspects under Sections 420, 468, 471 and 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code as well as Sections 18 and 22(b) of the Emigration Ordinance, 1979.

Investigation into other associates underway

According to the FIA Peshawar Zone, further investigation is underway to determine the role of other individuals allegedly involved in the suspected human trafficking network.

Officials said the preliminary investigation has also revealed that some agents allegedly forge tourist visas and convert them into fake employment visas in an attempt to bypass immigration and Protector of Emigrants scrutiny.

The FIA has advised citizens to thoroughly verify visas and other travel documents before travelling abroad for employment. Officials warned that the use of forged documents can result in deportation from a foreign country as well as legal action in Pakistan.