3 People arrested in Pakistan attempting to travel with fake Schengen visas & stamps on their passports

Web Desk

KARACHI: Three passengers, including a Chinese national, were apprehended by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Immigration Police at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, Pakistan, for their alleged involvement in an attempted departure using fraudulent travel documents.

As SamaaEnglish reports, Leo Ping, identified as the main suspect, was arrested at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi while attempting to board a flight bound for Bahrain, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

Investigations revealed that Ping was carrying counterfeit travel documents. Another passenger named Iqbal Muhammad Arshad, who comes from the Mandi Bahauddin district of Punjab, was also caught attempting to travel with fraudulent travel documents on the same flight.

During a separate incident, a passenger named Imran raised suspicions when he failed to provide satisfactory explanations to immigration authorities about his intended destination, Qatar. As a result, a more detailed investigation was conducted, leading to the discovery of a passport in Imran Ali’s possession.

Upon further examination of the recovered passport, it was revealed that it contained a forged Schengen visa and multiple counterfeit immigration stamps, suggesting fraudulent travel activities. This finding added to the concerns surrounding Imran’s intentions and raised additional questions during the investigation.

In November last year, three passengers were also arrested by FIA officials at Karachi airport officials for having counterfeit travel documents. Authorities indicate that the individuals arrived in Karachi from Iran carrying fake travel documents.

The arrested individuals were found to have fake Austrian visas on their passports upon their arrival at Karachi airport. Subsequently, the accused have been transferred to FIA’s anti-human trafficking cell for further investigation and questioning.

During the same period, Pakistan and the EU decided to strengthen bilateral cooperation on migration and mobility, which reflects a commitment to enhancing collaboration in managing migration-related issues and promoting safe and orderly migration.

Cooperation in this area can encompass various aspects such as border management, information sharing, capacity building, and addressing challenges related to irregular migration, human trafficking, and migrant rights.

Commenting on this agreement, the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, also said that collaboration in counter-terrorism efforts could involve intelligence sharing, capacity building, and joint operations to prevent and respond to terrorist activities.

Moreover, by joining forces, Pakistan and the EU intend to strengthen their capabilities and improve coordination in countering the evolving threats posed by terrorism.

Similarly, the fight against criminal networks, including those involved in organised crime and human smuggling, is vital for ensuring the safety and well-being of individuals and preventing exploitation. Enhancing cooperation can also include information exchange, law enforcement collaboration, and targeted measures to disrupt and dismantle criminal networks.

Courtesy: schengenvisainfo