Two officials among five held over graft

Agents allegedly collect hefty sums from citizens for overseas work permits

RAWALPINDI:

The FIA Anti-Corruption Circle Islamabad raided the Protectorate of Emigrants office in Rehmanabad, Rawalpindi, and arrested three agents and two employees for allegedly collecting hefty sums from citizens in the name of work permits and being involved in corruption with the connivance of officials.

According to officials, the private agents, in connivance with government officials at the Protectorate office, collected large sums from citizens on the pretext of obtaining work permits for overseas employment. The work was allegedly expedited after bribes were paid to government officials.

Forensic examination of the mobile phones of the arrested suspects allegedly revealed pictures of various visas for European countries, Gulf states, Britain and African countries, as well as voice notes exchanged with officials of the Protectorate office, which allegedly established the criminal network.

During the investigation, and on the identification of the arrested agents, two government employees of the Protectorate office in Rawalpindi were also arrested. They were Murtaza Ali, a BS-15 data entry operator, and Waqas, a BS-11 upper division clerk.

FIR No. 40/2026 was registered against the suspects under Sections 420, 468 and 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code and Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947.

FIA Islamabad Zone Director Shehzad Nadim Bukhari said the agency was following a zero-tolerance policy against corruption and that indiscriminate action would continue against individuals involved in corruption in government institutions.