Fake news draws scores to Pindi passport office
Fake news regarding a purported hike in the passport fee triggered a major security concern for the officials at the Rawalpindi regional passport office on Monday, prompting them to call the police to control the situation.
According to official sources, a large number of citizens rushed to the regional passport office on the false news on social media that the fee for the Pakistani passport was being increased soon.
Keeping the possible threat of rioting and disturbance to peace in mind, the passport office staff called a heavy contingent of police force on the spot and brought the situation under control, the sources said.
They went on to say that an assistant director of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) requested additional police force from Rawalpindi CPO, who reached the spot to bring the situation under control.
Officials told the passport seekers that news about an increase in the passport fee was false and the government did not make any announcement. Upon which, the sources said that the citizens started leaving the office.
Similar incidents in the past have also created similar security situations in the garrison city.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 31st, 2023.