Crackdown on fake permit providers for tinted glasses

The Ministry of Interior directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to launch a crackdown against people involved in producing and selling fake permits for tinted windows, noting that the ministry hasn’t issued a single permission letter since 2013.

The direction came after it emerged that fake permission letters attributed to the ministry as well as a fake website for verification of the letters were being used for minting money from the public. Subsequently, the ministry directed DG FIA to launch a crackdown against the fraudsters.

“It has been brought to the notice of the Ministry of Interior that fake letters for the use of tinted glasses are being issued in the name of Ministry of Interior without any authorisation,” the ministry’s letter issued on June 14 stated.

The letter revealed that the matter was further complicated as fake websites in the name of the interior ministry with a verification system were put in place, adding “these people are allegedly charging hefty amounts from citizens for getting this permission issued.”

“It is a serious matter, FIA is therefore, directed to investigate the matter thoroughly and register cases against the involved culprits under intimation to this ministry,” it read.

The decision to launch a crackdown is taken after a complaint was received from the additional secretary of the home department, Punjab.

An official of the interior ministry said that the ministry has not issued a single letter granting permission for using tinted windows since 2013 when a court imposed a ban on it. The ministry’s officials said that the ban was imposed as criminals could use tinted glass vehicles.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 19^th, 2022.