KARACHI: A British tabloid has allegedly uncovered a visa scam involving Pakistan's Olympic contingent.

According to the investigation, a group of travel agents and politicians are involved in the scam which allows anyone to travel with the Pakistani contingent as support staff if they pay a certain amount of money.

Fake passports, travel documents, a visa for two months and a letter from the Pakistan Sports Board claiming that the person is part of Pakistan's Olympic support staff can all be arranged for around one million Pakistani rupees (7000 pounds), it was reported.

Abid Chodhary, the politician and Dream Land travel agency were allegedly involved.

The British and Pakistani authorities have been notified. Pakistan's advisor to the Prime Minister on interior, Rehman Malik, said that the relevant people have been informed and will be looking into the matter.

Malik has formed a joint investigation team to investigate the scam.The team would include officials from the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

The Director General (DG) FIA would head the investigation team.

Eight employees of National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) have been suspended and Chairman Nadra Tariq Malik has  has ordered inquiry into the matter.

Meanwhile, a Pakistani official, while talking to DawnNews, rubbished the story as an attempt to discredit Pakistan. He also added that it was not possible for anyone to sneak in as part of Pakistan's contingent as there were proper checks conducted and a lot of documentation required.