The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Saturday announced the arrest of five men deported from Sharjah for attempting to travel to the United Kingdom on fake visas.
According to an FIA statement, the men had originally travelled from Lahore to Malaysia earlier this year on valid visit visas. After spending some time abroad, they allegedly sought the help of agents in Sharjah who provided them counterfeit UK travel documents. The forged visas were detected by UAE authorities, leading to their deportation back to Pakistan, where they were detained upon arrival at Lahore airport.
The FIA confirmed that the suspects have been transferred to the Anti-Human Trafficking Circle in Lahore for further investigation. Officials said inquiries are underway not only into the actions of the passengers but also into the agents who orchestrated the fraudulent visa scheme.
The arrests come as Pakistan intensifies its efforts to curb human smuggling networks, particularly in the wake of several deadly boat accidents involving Pakistanis attempting dangerous journeys to Europe. In July, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated the government’s commitment to dismantling organised crime groups and urged citizens to pursue safe and legal pathways for overseas employment.
Sharif noted that the government is working to expand job opportunities both within Pakistan and abroad but warned that illegal routes pose severe risks and violate international laws.