British High Commission discards FIA's investigations over passport scam

E-Paper | March 18, 2026

-File Photo

LAHORE: British High Commission discarded the investigations by the Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) in its report released on Friday pertaining to the Olympics-passport scam, which has jeopardized the credibility of passport and ID card issuing authorities in Pakistan, DawnNews reported.

The British High Commission’s report came as a reply to FIA’s letter written to it.

The report said that British tabloid “The Sun” agent Ali Asad came to Pakistan on a British passport and managed to get a fake CNIC and a machine-readable Pakistani passport on the specifics of “Mohammad Ali Asad”.

The FIA officials claimed that the high commission’s report has tried to conceal certain facts.

Earlier on Wednesday, Pakistan’s federal cabinet decided to take legal action against the British tabloid for publishing a fabricated report on Pakistan’s passport-issuing authority.

The cabinet had announced its decision to sue UK-based tabloid for a story published in the paper on Monday, July 23, which alleged that a group of travel agents and a politician were involved in a scam, which allowed anyone to travel with the Pakistani Olympic contingent as support staff if they pay a certain amount of money.

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Karim

Jul 27, 2012 05:04pm

Another feather in Pakistani caps.

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Tahir Khan

Jul 27, 2012 05:49pm

So our 'honorable' minister would care to explain if the report was fake, why did they arrested so many people right after the report from The Sun published ?

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Alam

Jul 28, 2012 12:46am

If they could remove the religion column, things might improve :)

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raja imran Dhruggi

Jul 28, 2012 12:37pm

Pakistn govt is very serious to resolve the visa scam issue as early as possible.Mr.Rehaman malik himself is inquiring this delicate matter.Culprits must be punished who defamed pakistan in an international level for their personal interests

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Dhanku Prasad

Jul 27, 2012 10:32pm

Citizens of Pakistan (land of the pure) have carved a niche for themselves - excelling in the most lowliest crimes known to humanity - this VISA scam is nothing compared to those.

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Bhairav Khan Mia

Jul 28, 2012 11:38am

Got to have guts to face the mistakes heed-on and not bury the head like Ostrich in the sand although the whole world can watch what is going on... When do I learn to be straight, honest and upbeat and keep my head - high....? Let us brood over this.Admitting problem is not shameful. Continuous denial is worse. Leads me no where. No one will trust me during this life. Why to speak virtues if cannot be practised?

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Mack

Jul 27, 2012 04:15pm

As usual tha Pakistani Govt is denying everything. Just like the Mumbai attacks. Later they will admit a small part of it was true. Same old , same old

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PARVEEZ

Jul 28, 2012 02:40pm

Some one should probe this case, you can get a passport made with false name, and I know people have traveled to Pakistan with this passport. So don't put your head in the sand. This was happening until 2010. These are people who had worked in the Pakistan embassy, and some of them live in east London. There are people who are corrupt in the embassy, get rid of them, for a few hundred pounds, they are doing this.

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raja irfan lords

Jul 27, 2012 11:05pm

'A bad name is worst than bad deeds'Every Pakistani(from east to west) felt sorry to read visas scam stories which has destroyed the image of Pakistan around the world.Already Pakistani passport holds no respect.we are observed minutely when we land in abroad. Canada England Australia even china hesitate to issue visit visas for Pakistani pass port holders.As a nation we have deteriorated and defamed around the world.A handful people or group or some politicians are involved in this matter for the sake of their personal interests but every Pakistani is facing the music. supreme court should take action to teach exemplary action against culprits to restore t image of Pakistan

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omer khan shaheen

Jul 27, 2012 01:57pm

The fact is there is a problem in our CNIC and Passport offices and we as Pakistanis should accept it. "Nothing wrong with being honest. It just requires some courage".

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Prapur

Jul 27, 2012 04:26pm

Nothing new. Pak is most corrupt country and terrorist too. All other countries are fed up with double standard of Pak government.

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saythetruth

Jul 27, 2012 11:14pm

quick to blame Pakistan for everything.

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Moiz

Jul 27, 2012 06:57pm

Lets call UN team to probe this case, as it was done in Benazir Bhutto's assasination case.

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imran

Jul 27, 2012 07:14pm

This investigation by NADRA, If not accurate, will only mean that privacy rights for citizens was abolished when 'Computerised NIC' came into play. Now 'Smart NIC' will only drive the final nail in the coffin.

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N.Burki

Jul 27, 2012 11:53pm

What kind or creadibility or respect do the rulers or high officials of Pakistan have in the world? No wonder the PIA passengers are harrased and humiliated at all airports.

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Pakistani

Jul 27, 2012 07:25pm

You can get a CNIC and Passport with any name, just pay an agent outside NADRA office.

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Cho

Jul 27, 2012 08:53pm

But remember its a fake passport, which ofcouse will be confiscted if sent for verification....so whats the big deal???

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raja imran dhruggi

Jul 27, 2012 08:59pm

Avoid to throw stones on others.Better rectify their on mistakes than findings faults of others.Pakistan govt is ready to provide proof to prove its innocence.Every one is laughing at the fool proof security system of U.K. govt.A child of fourteen passed many gates comfortably and at the end he found his destination and sat on the seat.No pass port no boarding card no luggage no fear full of confidence like the hero of action movie.where is world renown security?Where is towering claims?Where are watch dogs.if u will finger to someone many will return to you. Pakistan is taken this case seriously.Pakistan never denied the fact but has a right to defend itself.

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Cyrus Howell

Jul 27, 2012 09:06pm

How do these rumors get started?

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. zafars

Jul 28, 2012 03:03am

Just stop going to UK.

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umer

Jul 28, 2012 04:58am

I know the NADRA System being very elaborate. Personally witnessed it with our servant who was a Bengali immigrant since 1985 in Pakistan with us. He had an old manual NIC since that time. In 2000 when all old NIC were converted into CNIC by NADRA, he also got one. In year 2010 he needed to get his passport renewed for which NADRA cancelled his CNIC and confiscated the old passport. Reason being that NADRA database was unable to find his family tree before 1985 declaring him an illegal immigrant which was true. He has now returned to Bangladesh permanently traveling thru some boats.

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Javed

Jul 28, 2012 03:58pm

Abid Ali's visit on british passport indicates his dual nationality.Also proves his loyalty to UK as he was launched to expose corrrupt Pakistani system,hence his tratorship to Pakistan.This should solve the problem whether dual nationals should be allowed to take official appointments in Pakistan or not.

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