SHARJAH: The Sharjah authorities have arrested and deported five Pakistani citizens who allegedly attempted to travel to the United Kingdom using forged visas.
In this regard, the officials confirmed that the individuals were sent back to Pakistan after immigration officers at Sharjah International Airport detected irregularities in their travel documents.
The passengers were carrying fake British visas believed to have been prepared with the assistance of agents involved in human-smuggling networks. The discovery was made during routine immigration checks as the group prepared to board a flight bound for the UK.
In this sense, all five individuals had earlier travelled from Lahore to Malaysia this year on valid visit visas. However, their attempt to continue onward with counterfeit documents raised immediate suspicion. Immigration officers in Sharjah detained the passengers for questioning, after which they were deported to Pakistan.
Furthermore, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) took the individuals into custody. The FIA’s Anti-Human Smuggling Circle has launched an investigation to determine how the fake visas were obtained and whether a broader trafficking network is involved.
In this sense, the incident comes at a time when the government is seeking to strengthen measures against illegal migration and the use of fraudulent travel documents.
One day before the reports surfaced, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced the introduction of a pilot project featuring an artificial-intelligence-based application aimed at improving immigration security.
Meanwhile, the new system will help authorities assess the eligibility of passengers for international travel and more effectively identify forged documents.
He reasserted the government’s commitment to a zero-tolerance policy against fake visas, human smuggling, and the agents involved in such activities.
Naqvi also reviewed ongoing immigration reforms. The ministers discussed initiatives designed to provide citizens with improved services while increasing Pakistan’s international reputation.
The government has urged the public to remain cautious of fraudulent agents and to rely only on verified channels for travel arrangements.
