FIA Arrests Fake MoFA Official in Gujrat for Document Bribery Scheme

GUJRAT: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested a man impersonating an official of the Foreign Affairs Liaison Office (FALO) in Gujrat, who was allegedly soliciting bribes from individuals seeking document attestations. The suspect, identified as Umar Raza alias Zahid Hassan, was apprehended on Wednesday while demanding payments from applicants at the main entrance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office on GT Road.

According to the First Information Report (FIR) filed with the Gujrat FIA circle, the complainant reported that Raza was posing as a ministry employee and exploiting applicants’ needs for official document verification. Following his arrest, he was transferred to local FIA authorities for further investigation and legal action. A case has been registered against him under Section 170 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

This incident raises significant concerns about corruption within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, particularly in the attestation process, which is crucial for many citizens. An FIA official indicated that the investigation would extend to other agents and officials associated with the Gujrat MoFA, suggesting a broader network of corruption may be at play.

In light of this arrest, the FIA is expected to conduct a thorough inquiry into the practices at the Gujrat FALO, especially following previous allegations of corruption that led to the removal of the head of the office and two other officials earlier this year. The agency aims to restore public trust and ensure that the attestation process remains transparent and free from illicit activities.