FIA arrests visa fraud suspect in Sahiwal crackdown ordered by interior ministry

The Federal Investigation Agency has arrested a man accused of defrauding a job seeker with a fake promise of employment abroad, as authorities intensify a nationwide crackdown against human smuggling and visa fraud networks.

According to documents reviewed by a news outlet, the suspect, identified as Gulrez Amjad, was arrested by the FIA’s composite office in Sahiwal and booked under Section 17 and 22 of the Immigration Ordinance 1979. The case was registered on July 10, 2025, at the FIA Faisalabad police station, with Sub Inspector Sumaira Mehmood assigned as the investigating officer.

The first information report states that the complainant, Muhammad Usama, a resident of Chak No. 24 slash 4 L in Sahiwal district, told police that Amjad had promised to arrange a foreign work visa in exchange for payment. The complainant said he handed over approximately 635,000 rupees to the suspect, who then failed to provide the visa or return the money despite repeated requests.

Officials said the arrest came after directives from Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and FIA Director General Usman Anwar instructing field units to pursue stronger action against individuals defrauding citizens with false promises of overseas employment. A source within the agency said teams across the country have been told to move aggressively against fraudulent agents and trafficking networks.

Amjad was presented to journalists at the FIA’s Sahiwal office, with investigation wing officials Arslan and Imran also present. Authorities said the arrest forms part of a broader federal campaign targeting illegal recruitment agents who prey on people hoping to secure jobs abroad.

FIA sources said additional complaints of a similar nature are currently under investigation in Sahiwal and neighboring districts, with further arrests expected in the coming days. The agency has advised citizens to verify the credentials of travel agents and recruitment firms through official government channels before making any payments toward promised overseas employment.