Islamabad Police constable accused of taking bribes for free visas

ISLAMABAD (Zubair Kasuri): An inquiry report from the Ministry of Interior has revealed that an Islamabad Police constable, Shehbaz, is accused of taking bribes for Pakistani visas.

The case came to light after a complaint was registered on the Pakistan Citizen Portal (PMDU).

According to the inquiry report, submitted by Deputy Secretary (Visa) Shireen Hina Asghar, Constable Shehbaz, stationed at the Ministry of Interior’s control room, provided false information to a caller and then received Rs. 60,000 in his personal bank account.

He then informed the applicant that their visa had been issued. The inquiry has also found evidence of further payments.

The report stated that Constable Shehbaz allegedly received Rs. 60,000 from an applicant on September 12, 2024, in exchange for issuing a visa.

This visa is a free, 90-day, multiple-entry visa available through the Visa Before Arrival facility, launched by the government on August 14, 2024.

The report further notes that until September 17, 2024, these visas were issued automatically without human intervention. While a scrutiny team was later deployed, first at NADRA and then at the Ministry of Interior, to enhance security, the visa itself remained free.

The inquiry concluded that Constable Shehbaz’s alleged actions were “malicious and illegal,” as the visa was free and issued automatically.

The report also emphasizes that official visa fees, when applicable, are collected online through NADRA’s POVS portal and deposited directly into government bank accounts. “No individual is authorized to demand additional payments from applicants,” it stated.

Given the seriousness of the alleged misconduct and Constable Shehbaz’s position as an ICT police constable, the inquiry report recommends that the case be transferred to the ICT Police and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for further investigation and appropriate disciplinary action.

Ministry of Interior sources have stated that, under the special directives of the Interior Secretary, steps have been taken to improve the performance of the visa section, and orders have been issued to take action against any Ministry of Interior employees found to be involved.

Sources also revealed that the Islamabad police constable was stationed in the Ministry of Interior’s control room. A Lahore resident filed a complaint against him with evidence, which prompted the inquiry at the Ministry of Interior.

Sources further allege that this police officer has been extorting money from Afghan and other nationals in the name of fake visas and other documents, and has been running a network within the Ministry of Interior for some time.