Islamabad: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has registered a case and launched an investigation into an alleged US visa fraud network after receiving official information from the United States Embassy, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
The case has been registered at the FIA’s Anti-Human Trafficking Circle (AHTC), Islamabad, under FIR No. AHTC-ICT-28/26. According to the FIR, several Pakistani citizens submitted forged documents and fabricated conference-related information while applying for US visa appointments. The irregularities were reportedly flagged by the US Embassy, prompting FIA to take immediate legal action.
During initial inquiries, the FIA recorded statements of multiple applicants/victims, including Bilal Hassan, Rimsha Zubair, Muhammad Asad Iqbal, Ali Raza, Awais Qamar Ranjha, Muazzam Ali, Arshman Ahmed, Waqas Aslam, Ahsan Raza, Muhammad Rehan, Mudassar Nazir Gondal and Muhammad Hasnain, who allely submitted fake supporting documentation, believing it would help them secure US visas through “special arrangements”.
Investigators say the victims were allegedly deceived by a group of facilitators who promised guaranteed visa processing. The FIR identifies the main accused as Al-Sheikh Ala Syed Saifuddin s/o Hafiz Muhammad Aslam, also known as Usman Gillani/Usmani Gillani, a Kot Momin-based cleric, along with Rab Nawaz and other suspects including Muhammad Tahir Shabbir and Inam ul Haq.
According to the FIR and preliminary findings, the suspects allegedly collected amounts ranging from Rs2 million to Rs4.5 million per person, while separate reports claim that around $30,000 was charged for preparing forged documentation for approximately 12 individuals. The documents reportedly included fake referral letters resembling official communication from Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) as well as fabricated supporting papers.
Officials said one of the documents linked to the case was a fake invitation letter for a Sufism-related conference in the United States, allegedly used to strengthen visa profiles.
The report further mentions that forged documents were also prepared to facilitate the US visa case of a Senior Civil Judge. Sources said the DG FIA and the Anti-Human Trafficking Circle Islamabad team acted promptly on the US Embassy’s information, ensuring immediate registration of the case and expanding the scope of inquiry beyond ordinary visa fraud to include document forgery, facilitation networks and potential human trafficking elements.
The FIR has been registered under Sections 3, 4, 7 of PSMA 2018 and Sections 420 and 468 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). FIA officials said investigations were ongoing and further arrests and facilitators may be traced as evidence is collected.
