3 held for travelling on fake documents
Three passengers who had arrived from the Maldives were arrested for traveling on fake documents the FIA Faisalabad Zone.
A team arrested Umar Farooq, Naila and Ashraf Mahmood and started interrogating them.
The suspects had arrived in Pakistan from the Maldives on a flight, but initial investigation showed that they had used fake travel documents, including Portuguese passports.
They had traveled abroad through illegal means and had been deported from the Maldives after the discovery of the forged documents during their stay there.
The suspects were allegedly in contact with an agent named Arshad who resides in the United Kingdom (UK). They had paid him Rs600,000 for the arrangements related to international travel. The travel arrangements, including the provision of fake passports and boarding passes, had been managed by a local agent from Faisalabad, Muhammad Umair.
The Federal Investigation Agency Faisalabad team also arrested a member of a human trafficking gang that forced people to beg. The suspect, Zahoor Ahmed, was arrested at the Sialkot International Airport on his return from Saudi Arabia.
Initial investigation showed that Zahoor was part of a gang. Other suspected members of the gang include Muhammad Ghafoor and Sharif. The group smuggled innocent people to Saudi Arabia by promising them Umrah and jobs abroad.
Upon reaching Saudi Arabia, the victims were intimidated and deceived into begging and forced labour. The group had recently smuggled five women to Saudi Arabia by promising them Umrah visas and forced them into begging.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
Two witnesses record testimonies in gifts case
The Toshakhana is a repository which stores precious gifts given to rulers, parliamentarians, bureaucrats and other officials by heads of other governments and foreign dignitaries. PHOTO: FILE Two more prosecution witnesses on Tuesday gave their testimonies in a case related to alleged misuse of the official gift repository rules by PTI founder Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi during the former's term as the prime minister. Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand conducted the hearing of the case in a courtroom inside Rawalpindi's Central Prison popularly known as Adiala Jail. Both Imran and Bushrawho are detained in the prison facility — attended the hearing. After the testimonies, the counsel for Imran, Arshad Tabriz, cross-examined both the witnesses. Lawyer of Bushra Bibi, Qosain Faisal Mufti, will cross examine the witnesses at the next hearing. Bushra Bibi had refused to attend the last hearing of the case — also called the Toshakhana II casedespite repeated summonses by the court. The judge had later warned of cancelling her bail in the case. The court will resume hearing on June 11. According to the charge-sheet, Imran misused his position to acquire a Bulgari jewelry set that the Saudi crown prince presented as a gift during the couple's visit to Saudi Arabia between May 7 and 10, 2021. The set included a ring, bracelet, necklace, and a pair of earrings. According to the evidence gathered during the investigation, Imran and Bushra unlawfully retained the set. On May 18, 2021, the deputy military secretary informed the section officer of Toshakhana about the need to assess and declare the price of the gift, but it was not deposited. Bulgari sold the necklace for 300,000 euros and the earrings for 80,000 euros to a Saudi franchise on May 25, 2018. However, the price of the bracelet and ring could not be determined. As of May 28, 2021, the total estimated value of the Bulgari jewelry set was approximately Rs75,661,600. The necklace alone was valued at Rs56,496,000, and the earrings at Rs15,065,600.
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business Recorder
Over 58,000 Pakistanis deported from various states since 2023
ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary panel was informed on Tuesday that more than 58,000 Pakistanis have been deported from various countries since 2023, with a significant number facing repatriation on charges related to beggary and immigration violations. Briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis, the Interior Ministry officials revealed that 5,600 deportees were expelled specifically for beggary from Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar. The committee, chaired by Zeeshan Khanzada, reviewed data submitted by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Pakistani diplomatic missions abroad. According to the Director General of Passports and Immigration, Mustafa Jamal Kazi, many Pakistani citizens had overstayed their visas while travelling for religious pilgrimages to countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq. Kazi disclosed that around 34,000 Pakistanis were deported from Iran last year, while nearly 50,000 were sent back from Iraq. He also pointed to a growing trend of asylum seekers, with approximately 125,000 Pakistanis applying for asylum in European countries during the last one year. The committee raised concerns over the increase in deportations due to fake documentation and beggary, noting that such incidents have damaged Pakistan's international image and strained relations with brotherly countries in the Gulf and Middle East. Interior Ministry officials confirmed that the names of deportees have been placed on the Passport Control List (PCL), and in some cases, their passports have been cancelled in an effort to curb this trend. However, Senator Shahadat Awan, a member of the committee, objected, arguing that cancelling passports for offences committed outside Pakistan's jurisdiction may not be legally justified. The committee further inquired about the Interior Ministry's action against Overseas Employment Promoters (OEPs) suspected of facilitating illegal or exploitative migration. Officials revealed that 1,460 deportees had travelled through 691 OEPs. Show-cause notices have been issued to those implicated, and the panel has recommended initiating criminal proceedings against the promoters involved in sending individuals abroad for beggary or with falsified documents. Zamir Hussain Ghumro, another member of the panel, questioned what steps the ministry has taken to prevent such crimes, which he said have brought shame to the country. The Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development informed the committee that 7,873 Pakistanis were deported between 2019 and 2025, with 1,064 of those cases linked to beggary. The panel has also sought a breakdown of 5,000 deportees who travelled on work permits or visit visas to evaluate the involvement of employment agents. In a separate briefing, the managing director of the Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC) presented updates on economic diplomacy initiatives aimed at promoting the export of skilled labour. He said that approximately 10.3 million skilled Pakistani workers are currently employed overseas. The OEC has signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with 18 countries, with an additional 15 under negotiation. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
Mustafa Amir murder: Armughan's father granted bail in illegal arms case
Listen to article A local court has granted bail to Kamran Asghar Qureshi, the father of Armughan, the main suspect in the Mustafa Aamir murder case, in an illegal arms case. The bail application was heard by the Additional District and Sessions Judge (South), who approved the bail against a surety bond of Rs100,000. During the hearing, defence counsel Khurram Awan argued that the case was baseless and registered solely because the accused is Armughan's father. He claimed that Kamran has been wrongfully implicated in multiple cases. The judge remarked that the accused should be released if not wanted in any other case. According to the prosecution, the Anti-Violent Crime Cell had booked Kamran Asghar Qureshi after recovering illegal weapons from his possession. A total of four FIRs have been lodged against him. Earlier, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Karachi had extended the physical remand of Armughan, the prime suspect in the Mustafa Amir murder case, for an additional seven days. The court directed the investigation officer to submit a progress report at the next hearing. Prosecutors argued that more time was required to recover a laptop and mobile phone, which they believe contain crucial evidence. Armughan's defence counsel opposed the request, claiming that police had completed their investigation and further remand was unnecessary. However, the court sided with the prosecution and approved the extension. During the hearing, the judge inquired whether the seized evidence had been properly sealed, to which the investigation officer confirmed compliance. The court also permitted Armughan's parents to meet him briefly. Moreover, according to a report, Armughan had allegedly confessed to the crime and explained the reasons behind Mustafa's murder. The report revealed that Armughan ran a call centre at a bungalow in Defence Housing Authority's Khayaban-e-Momin area, where 30 to 40 boys and girls worked, along with 30 to 35 security guards stationed at the premises. The bungalow had allegedly housed three lion cubs illegally. An interrogation report also shed light on Armughan's involvement in business and drug use. Before Mustafa's murder, Armughan, along with his friend Shiraz, planned to burn Mustafa's car and had previously intended to harm him. The report revealed that in 2019, Armughan was involved in a case regarding drug import, but he secured bail in that matter. According to the investigation, Armughan himself was a drug user. On New Year's Eve, Armughan hosted a party at the bungalow, where Shiraz was also present until 3 am. However, Mustafa did not attend the party. The following day, Armughan and Mustafa had a personal dispute, which escalated into a violent confrontation. On January 6, Armughan invited Shiraz to the bungalow to take drugs together, and Mustafa arrived at around 9 pm. During this encounter, Armughan assaulted Mustafa with an iron rod. Armughan and Shiraz stripped Mustafa of his clothes, bound his hands and feet with a white sheet, and dragged him down the stairs. Mustafa's car was parked in the bungalow's parking lot, and they placed his body in the trunk of the car, after which they took him to Hub. The report further details that Armughan instructed two employees to clean blood stains from the room. Armughan also took Mustafa's clothes, mobile phone, and internet device. When they could not find fuel in the car, Armughan took a fuel can from the bungalow. The report explains that Armughan discarded Mustafa's mobile phone and other belongings on the way. They arrived in Hub around 4:30 am, poured petrol on the car, and set it on fire. Armughan and Shiraz then walked to a hotel for breakfast. A hotel employee noticed a weapon, and the two men fled the scene. After walking for several hours and hitching rides, they made their way back to Karachi.
