Four arrested in raid on Lahore's passport office

By Wasif Mahmood

LAHORE--  The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested four suspects during a crackdown on alleged illegal activities at Harbanspura Passport Office.

According to FIA officials, the Anti-Corruption Circle Lahore conducted the operation on the directives of Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

Those arrested include passport office superintendent Abdul Ghaffar, former contract employee Ansar, security guard Zubair Ashfaq and agent Mubashir Mahmood.

The Agency said the suspects were operating both inside and outside the passport office and allegedly extorting substantial sums from unsuspecting citizens by promising to arrange passports through illegal means.

All four suspects were arrested red-handed during the operation, officials said.

A case has been registered against the arrested suspects and further investigation is under way. Investigators are also working to apprehend other individuals allegedly involved in passport fraud, the officials added.

A few days ago, Interior Minister Naqvi had paid a surprise visit to the Passport Office in Garden Town, Lahore. On that occasion, several officials, including the deputy director, were removed from their posts and suspended over alleged collusion with the agent mafia.

The minister had also ordered the removal of the FIA deputy director of anti-corruption for failing to curb the activities of the agent mafia.