ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested two Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) officials over their alleged involvement in a network accused of producing and using counterfeit apostille stickers and official stamps, sources said on Monday.
The FIA Anti-Corruption Circle (ACC) Islamabad took MOFA Assistant Director Qaiser and Apostille In-charge Samiullah into custody. The two officials were shifted to the FIA office for questioning as investigators expanded their probe into the alleged document attestation scam.
Sources said the agency was also conducting efforts to apprehend other suspects believed to be connected with the network.
The latest arrests came a day after the FIA Islamabad Zone announced the busting of an alleged racket involved in fake apostille stickers and forged official stamps. During raids at consultancy and courier offices in Islamabad’s Aabpara area, 22 suspects, including six MOFA employees, were arrested.
According to the FIA, its ACC team carried out raids at multiple offices operating from the basement of F&F Plaza, Aabpara, after receiving credible information about the alleged activities.
The agency registered Case No. 48/2026 against the suspects under Sections 420, 468, 471 and 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code, along with Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947.
Investigators identified 16 private-sector suspects allegedly associated with different companies, while six MOFA officials handling attestation and apostille matters were also named in the case.
The FIA alleged that applicants were being charged substantial sums for allegedly expedited document attestation and apostille services, with officials purportedly receiving illegal payments in return.
The agency further claimed that counterfeit apostille stickers had been distributed at various locations in the country, potentially compromising the authenticity of official documents and causing financial losses to the national exchequer.
A court has reportedly granted three-day physical remand of the arrested suspects. Inspector Arslan Masood Khan is conducting the investigation.
The FIA Islamabad Zone said its crackdown would continue against alleged corruption and forgery in public institutions, with action to be taken against both government employees and private individuals found involved in such activities.
