TODAY’S PAPER | September 14, 2025 | EPAPER

FIA books six in Rs9.5m visa fraud case

Accused include DBA secretary candidate; complainant alleges scam


Kashif Fareed September 14, 2025 1 min read

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FAISALABAD:

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has registered a case against six individuals, including a candidate for District Bar Association (DBA) Faisalabad's Secretary seat, on charges of defrauding a citizen of millions of rupees under the pretext of sending him abroad.

According to the complainant, Naeem Tahir, the accused — identified as Ghufran Sadiq, Bilal Hussain, Umar Farooq (candidate for DBA Secretary), Aftab Ahmed, Arsalan Farooq, and Huma Adnan Sattar - allegedly received Rs5 million in cash and a cheque worth Rs4.55 million in exchange for arranging his migration to England. However, neither was he sent abroad nor was his money returned.

Following his complaint, FIA registered a case and initiated legal proceedings.

Meanwhile, the accused candidate Umar Farooq Advocate rejected the allegations, calling the case baseless.

He said a false FIR was registered without due process by Abid Gul, a former FIA SHO.

"The FIR was lodged without any investigation or giving me a chance to present my stance," he claimed.

Farooq maintained that when he appeared before the FIA upon summons, the reality came to light and he was kept uninformed of the case.

He added that FIA's Director General has since dismissed Abid Gul from service for mishandling the matter.

"The case is now at the stage of dismissal, and my opponents' attempt to exploit it to sabotage my election campaign has failed," Farooq said.

He further alleged that rivals in the DBA elections were misusing the case to tarnish his reputation and undermine his campaign.

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