Two passengers arrested at Lahore Airport over fake Netherlands visas

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested two passengers at Lahore's Allama Iqbal International Airport for allegedly attempting to travel to the Netherlands using forged visas.

LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested two passengers at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport for allegedly attempting to travel to the Netherlands using forged visas.

According to the FIA its Immigration Wing carried out the operation after identifying irregularities in the travel documents presented by the two passengers.

The arrested individuals were identified as Qaiser Munir and Ali Hassan. An FIA spokesperson said both men had allegedly obtained their visas through an agent based in Gujrat.

During questioning officials were informed that each passenger had already paid the agent Rs2 million for the visa arrangements. They were also reportedly expected to pay an additional Rs2 million each.

This means the alleged payment arrangement involved Rs4 million per passenger with a further Rs4 million still outstanding for both individuals.

Following their arrest the two passengers were handed over to the FIA’s Anti-Human Trafficking Circle in Lahore for further investigation.

Investigators are expected to examine the documents and look into the alleged involvement of the Gujrat-based agent in arranging the visas.

The case highlights the risks associated with using unauthorised agents for overseas travel arrangements. The FIA has not provided further details about the agent’s identity or whether any additional arrests have been made.