FIA Busts Passport Office Touts’ Network in Islamabad, Three Arrested
Three suspects were arrested after the FIA uncovered an alleged network charging up to Rs20,000 for unauthorized priority passport processing, while a passport office employee is under investigation over alleged facilitation.
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Anti-Corruption Circle Islamabad has arrested three suspects after dismantling an alleged organized network of touts operating outside the G-10 Regional Passport Office, where citizens were allegedly charged hefty amounts for unauthorized priority passport processing.
According to the FIA, the operation was launched after verified intelligence and approval from the competent authority. During the raid, the agency arrested the prime suspect, Muhammad Muzammil, who allegedly charged applicants—particularly those from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa—Rs20,000 per case by arranging fake Islamabad residential addresses to secure priority passport processing.
The investigation later led to the arrest of Nasir Ahmad and Muhammad Tasawur. The FIA said forensic examination of the suspects’ mobile phones allegedly revealed that applicants’ token numbers were shared via WhatsApp with a passport office employee identified as Raza, who allegedly provided box IDs to facilitate priority processing.
Investigators further claimed that a financial trail showed the employee allegedly received payments through an Easypaisa account in exchange for processing cases, strengthening suspicions of his involvement in the alleged network.
Following the arrests, the FIA registered a case under relevant laws and produced the suspects before a court, which granted the agency two-day physical remand for further investigation. Officials said the role of the passport office employee and any other individuals allegedly connected to the network will be determined during the ongoing probe.
The FIA has urged citizens to obtain government services only through official channels and avoid dealing with unauthorized agents or touts. The agency also encouraged the public to report similar incidents to help curb corruption in public service delivery.
