ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government has intensified its efforts to crack down on its citizens engaged in criminal activities abroad, specifically in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), citing sources from the Ministry of Interior.

As part of this initiative, passports of 4,700 Pakistani nationals currently incarcerated in the UAE have been blocked. This action follows detailed information shared by UAE authorities about 5,292 Pakistani citizens serving sentences for various offences.

The report highlights that among the blocked passports, 2,470 belong to individuals convicted of drug-related crimes, while 100 are associated with cases involving fraud, deception, and sexual harassment. Additionally, passports of 704 people jailed for theft and 216 individuals involved in murder and robbery have also been revoked. The government has further blocked passports of 375 Pakistanis living illegally in the UAE.

In another development, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested 34 Afghan nationals on November 2 attempting to travel abroad using fake Pakistani passports. The suspects, who allegedly entered Pakistan through the Chaman border, were apprehended in Peshawar following a raid on a hostel.

Investigations revealed the Afghan nationals had obtained forged identity documents through local agents. Three agents were arrested in Attock for facilitating such activities, while 15 others, including officials from NADRA and Passport Immigration, were taken into custody for issuing fake documents.

FIA stated the suspects will be presented in court and described their involvement in an international forgery network that created counterfeit Pakistani passports and documents.