Peshawar Identity Fraud Network Exposed: Afghan Nationals Illegally Added To Family Trees

(MENAFN- Tribal News Network) In Peshawar, it has been revealed that, in an attempt to avoid ongoing operations for the deportation of Afghan refugees, foreign nationals were illegally issued Pakistani identity cards and were also being included in Pakistani citizens' family trees (FRC – Family Registration Certificate).

Fakirabad Police took action and arrested 11 suspects, including agents and Afghan nationals. It has also been suspected that NADRA officials may be involved in this network.

SP Fakirabad Resham Jahangir said in a press conference that the suspects-including Irtaza, Suleman Khan, Naseem Shah, Fawad, Irfan Ajmal, Asif, and Qari Bashir-were arrested when they were negotiating the preparation of identity cards for an Afghan family in a house in Fakirabad. Important documents were also recovered during the raid.

The arrested individuals belong to different areas including Fakirabad, Cantt, Badaber, and Nowshera.

Initial investigations suggest that the group had been active for the past 8 to 9 months across different districts. Through agents, they targeted vulnerable and needy Pakistani citizens whose family and identity records could be misused.

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The suspects would then, in exchange for 1.5 to 1.6 million rupees, illegally include foreign nationals in the family trees of Pakistani citizens and arrange official documentation for them. After receiving payment, the money was distributed among themselves, while a portion was also given to those whose family data or records were used.

According to police, initial investigations also indicate that, in view of the current security situation, some foreign elements and their facilitators were also involved in collecting sensitive information, and police along with other sensitive agencies are jointly investigating the matter.

Initially, 11 suspects, including two Afghan nationals, have been arrested. There is suspicion that the network may also be spread across other districts of the province.

It has also been suspected that some NADRA officials may be involved in this illegal activity, and FIA will be contacted for further investigation.

Police say the group may also have been illegally preparing identity cards for individuals wishing to travel abroad. Further investigation is underway to uncover other members of the network and its wider links.

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