The FIA Anti-Corruption Circle, Islamabad, has exposed a visa fraud scandal involving a Second Secretary of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

According to the FIA, Atiqur Rehman, a serving Second Secretary at the FBR, fraudulently included two private individuals in an official government delegation by falsely presenting them as FBR officials, enabling them to obtain French visas in exchange for Rs5.3 million.

The investigation revealed that the French Embassy was officially misled through government email correspondence, falsely verifying the private individuals — Muhammad Kamran and Aamir Shahzad — as FBR employees. One of the individuals is a driver, while the other is a property dealer.

Upon the emergence of substantial evidence, the FIA registered a criminal case against the FBR officer and other involved parties. In light of the disclosure, the FIA has also decided to scrutinise visas issued to all FBR officers.

Kamran and Shahzad were earlier offloaded and arrested at Islamabad International Airport by FIA Immigration staff on suspicion. Investigators confirmed that the accused transferred the illicit funds to the FBR officer through banking channels, and complete financial records have been secured.

An FIR (No 3/26) has been registered at the FIA Anti-Corruption Circle Islamabad on the complaint of Sub-Inspector Asfandyar, and a formal investigation is underway. Authorities have stated that the principal accused will be arrested shortly.