The great escape: CEO flees abroad after Rs500 million in immigration fraud
Asim Malik reaches the UK, despite being on the Exit Control List and wanted in 98 cases.
Malik defrauded over 100 people for over Rs500 million. DESIGN: FAIZAN DAWOOD
LAHORE:
Asim Malik, the chief executive officer of consultancy firm Future Concern, and the man principally accused of visa fraud worth Rs500 million, has managed to reach the United Kingdom, according to officials.
Malik escaped via Hong Kong, despite being on the Exit Control List. He is wanted by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the Anti-Human Trafficking Circle, and the Lahore police, in 98 cases and dozens of inquiries into immigration fraud.
With this move, he has intentionally evaded court orders for his arrest.
Malik defrauded over 100 people for over Rs500 million, on the pretext of being able to provide them immigration and jobs abroad, mostly in the UK, Canada and European countries.
The FIA’s records show that a sizeable number of his victims included doctors and women.
The FIA’s Punjab director, Waqar Haider, and additional directors Malik Javed, Azhar Mehmood and Basharat Mehmood Shahzad, have been on the case.
According to sources, FIA Director-General Anwar Virk is directly monitoring the investigations because of the high-profile nature of the case.
Out of more than 100 inquiries, 98 cases have been registered against Malik so far, said FIA officials while talking to The Express Tribune. The remaining complainants recorded their statements under sections 154 and 161 of the CrPC (code of criminal procedure) to speed up the progress of registering FIR reports.
After Malik’s escape was confirmed, the FIA requested Interpol through the National Central Bureau at the FIA’s headquarters in Islamabad, to issue a red warrant, ensure his immediate arrest, and bring him back to Pakistan as soon as possible.
Other sources revealed that the British authorities have confirmed Malik’s arrival. Additional family members, including Malik’s wife, left the country beforehand.
Sources within the FIA added that although there is no formal extradition treaty or agreement between Pakistan and the UK, both countries have good relations and it seems likely that the UK will cooperate.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 7th, 2013.
Asim Malik, the chief executive officer of consultancy firm Future Concern, and the man principally accused of visa fraud worth Rs500 million, has managed to reach the United Kingdom, according to officials.
Malik escaped via Hong Kong, despite being on the Exit Control List. He is wanted by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the Anti-Human Trafficking Circle, and the Lahore police, in 98 cases and dozens of inquiries into immigration fraud.
With this move, he has intentionally evaded court orders for his arrest.
Malik defrauded over 100 people for over Rs500 million, on the pretext of being able to provide them immigration and jobs abroad, mostly in the UK, Canada and European countries.
The FIA’s records show that a sizeable number of his victims included doctors and women.
The FIA’s Punjab director, Waqar Haider, and additional directors Malik Javed, Azhar Mehmood and Basharat Mehmood Shahzad, have been on the case.
According to sources, FIA Director-General Anwar Virk is directly monitoring the investigations because of the high-profile nature of the case.
Out of more than 100 inquiries, 98 cases have been registered against Malik so far, said FIA officials while talking to The Express Tribune. The remaining complainants recorded their statements under sections 154 and 161 of the CrPC (code of criminal procedure) to speed up the progress of registering FIR reports.
After Malik’s escape was confirmed, the FIA requested Interpol through the National Central Bureau at the FIA’s headquarters in Islamabad, to issue a red warrant, ensure his immediate arrest, and bring him back to Pakistan as soon as possible.
Other sources revealed that the British authorities have confirmed Malik’s arrival. Additional family members, including Malik’s wife, left the country beforehand.
Sources within the FIA added that although there is no formal extradition treaty or agreement between Pakistan and the UK, both countries have good relations and it seems likely that the UK will cooperate.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 7th, 2013.