Kaukab Iqbal Urges Nationwide Crackdown on Visa Fraud

KARACHI: Consumers Association of Pakistan (CAP) Chairman Kaukab Iqbal has urged Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to launch a nationwide crackdown on fraudulent visa consultants. He warned that misleading promises of overseas education and employment could expose students, job seekers and their families to financial losses.

Iqbal expressed concern over consultancy offices operating across Pakistan, particularly in Karachi. He said some operators allegedly exploit people seeking foreign university admissions, overseas jobs, work permits and visa processing services.

Many families invest their life savings to secure better opportunities for their children. Similarly, unemployed young people may borrow money or sell valuable assets to pursue jobs abroad. Iqbal said authorities must address the alleged exploitation of these aspirations.

According to the CAP chairman, some consultants demand substantial advance payments for admissions, job placements, documentation and visa processing. Applicants may later discover that promised services were never delivered, job offers cannot be verified or university admissions were not secured.

“The dreams of our youth and the hard-earned savings of ordinary families must not be allowed to become a business opportunity for fraudsters,” Iqbal said. He called for prompt investigations and legal action wherever authorities establish wrongdoing.

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CAP Seeks FIA Action and Nationwide Verification

Iqbal urged Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to direct the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and other relevant authorities to investigate suspicious operators. He also called for checks on applicable registration, licensing and authorisation requirements.

He proposed a nationwide verification exercise, with particular attention to Karachi. He said applicants need accessible ways to distinguish legitimate education and employment service providers from potentially fraudulent operators. An office address or professional-looking online presence, he added, does not guarantee credibility.

The CAP chairman also called for stronger monitoring of advertisements on social media and other platforms. He highlighted offers promising guaranteed visas, confirmed overseas employment or lucrative jobs without credible evidence.

He urged authorities to investigate complaints involving fake job offers, forged documents, fictitious university admissions and unauthorised recruitment.

Iqbal further proposed an accessible complaint mechanism. Such a system could help victims report suspected fraud, submit evidence and understand their legal options. Where authorities establish financial wrongdoing, he said, they should pursue accountability and facilitate the recovery of victims’ money in accordance with the law.

Advice for Students and Job Seekers

Iqbal advised prospective applicants to verify universities, foreign employers, recruitment agencies and visa requirements through official channels before making payments.

He also urged consumers to obtain written agreements and proper receipts. Applicants should carefully check consultants’ claims and retain payment records, correspondence and advertisements if they suspect deception.

However, Iqbal stressed that legitimate education consultants and authorised overseas employment promoters should not face unfair treatment. Enforcement, he said, should target unlawful operations, deceptive claims and proven violations rather than treating every consultancy as fraudulent.

“Seeking education or employment abroad should be an opportunity to build a better future, not a gateway to financial ruin,” Iqbal said. He urged the government to protect citizens and ensure that those found responsible face the penalties prescribed by law.

The Consumers Association of Pakistan called on the federal government and relevant authorities to improve public awareness, simplify the verification of legitimate service providers and strengthen enforcement against visa-related fraud across the country.

— Kaukab Iqbal, Chairman, Consumers Association of Pakistan (CAP)