Fake Netherlands visa detected at Islamabad airport: FIA foils suspected Europe-bound transit attempt

ISLAMABAD: Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Immigration at Islamabad International Airport offloaded a Swat resident after detecting an alleged fake Netherlands visit visa, thwarting a suspected attempt to use Saudi Arabia as a transit point for onward travel to Europe.

An FIA official told APP on Sunday that the passenger was intercepted during secondary profiling on August 14, 2026, while preparing to travel to Saudi Arabia aboard Airblue flight PA-270.

The official said detailed scrutiny of the travel documents revealed that the Netherlands visit visa affixed to page 18 of the passenger’s passport was fake, raising suspicion about his possible links with a human smuggling network.

A review of the passenger’s travel history showed that he had previously travelled several times to different countries, including Malaysia, Thailand and Saudi Arabia. The FIA said the travel pattern, coupled with the allegedly forged visa, strengthened suspicions requiring further investigation into possible links with a human smuggling network.

The passenger was offloaded and handed over to the Anti-Human Trafficking Circle (AHTC) Islamabad for forensic examination of his mobile phone and further legal proceedings.

The FIA said investigators would examine the digital evidence to identify any facilitators allegedly involved in arranging the forged visa or assisting the attempted journey. Further investigation is underway.