The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested the owner of a private travel agency in Swat on Sunday and seized 12 Pakistani passports along with personal documents belonging to several individuals during a raid in Barikot. Acting on a tip-off, FIA officials raided the premises of Bacha Air Travel Services in Barikot and arrested its owner, identified as Abu Bakr Bacha.
Details of the Raid
During a search of the premises, officials recovered 12 Pakistani passports and other personal documents belonging to different individuals. According to the FIA, the suspect failed to produce any legal authorization or valid licence permitting him to retain the passports, prompting officials to seize the recovered items under the relevant legal provisions.
Legal Violations
The FIA said preliminary investigations suggest that the suspect may have violated Section 6(g) of the Passport Act, 1974. A case has been registered against the accused, while further investigations are under way.
Impact and Context
This arrest highlights the FIA's ongoing efforts to crack down on illegal retention of passports and travel document fraud. The seizure of 12 passports indicates a potential network of document misuse, which could facilitate illegal immigration or other unlawful activities. Authorities are now investigating the extent of the suspect's operations and any connections to broader criminal networks.
