The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) offloaded five passengers at Islamabad International Airport who were attempting to travel to Hong Kong via Thailand on forged documents.
According to the FIA spokesperson, the passengers including three men and two women had altered their National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) records with the help of an agent to falsely present themselves as part of another family.
Investigators revealed that the agent had charged the families PKR 15 million (approx. USD 54,000) per passenger for the illegal facilitation. The passengers were intercepted at the immigration counter before boarding.
The FIA further disclosed that a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) staff member, suspected of facilitating the passengers at the airport, has also been taken into custody for questioning.
The agency said strict action will be taken against those involved in human smuggling and document fraud.
