Islamabad:
A major VRI emerged in the federal Investigation Agency (FIA) probe in the illegal issue of e-Visas to Afghan citizens on Friday, when two officials of the agency’s anti-human smuggling cell-inclusive a sub-inspector has allegedly been caught by requesting brought from suspects.
With serious notice of the case, FIA General Raja Riffat Mukhtar ordered the arrest of both officials and constituted a four-member joint investigative team (JIT) to conduct a thorough investigation.
FIA’s anti-human smuggling cell had previously revealed a large-scale scandal involving the illegal issue of Pakistani e-visas to Afghan citizens.
The rack allegedly worked through false sponsorships and with the connection of officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Press Information Department (PID).
Following the registration of a formal case, the FIA arrested six people, including PID information assistant Nader Rahim and several Afghan citizens.
During the investigation, however, DG FIA RAJA RIFFAT MUKHTAR received credible information that some FIA staff involved in the investigation allegedly collided with the suspects and relieved them in exchange for bribery.
DG immediately directly instructed Fia Islamabad Zone, Shehzad Nadeem Bukhari, to initiate a discreet internal study.
According to the FIA spokesman, the agency’s anti-corruption circle in Islamabad sub-inspector Waseem Ahmed and Constable Aqib Mahmood from the anti-human smuggling cell on charges of corruption and bribery.
The two officers were allegedly caught and demanded bribery of RS2 million from Zubair Ahmed, one of the accused in custody in the E-Visa case.
Demand was placed during his physical custody in return for giving special treatment and ensuring that he would be moved to judicial custody rather than remaining under physical custody.
A four-member Jit is now composed under the supervision of FIA-assistant director Anti-Corruption, Nauman Khalil, to investigate the case transparent and impartial. Other members of the team include sub -inspector Shams Khan, Under Inspector Shehryar and Constable Mehdi.
Jit has started his investigation by interrogating the two arrested FIA staff.
Authorities revealed that six people have so far been arrested in connection with the illegal Afghan e-visa case.
The suspects include Abdul Aziz, Ahmad Sakhi, Atif Ahmed, Nader Rahim Abbasi (a pid official), Abrar Ahmed and Zubair Ahmed. Studies suggest that the gang is driven by manipulating sponsorship documentation with the support of insiders in government departments.
