Investigation conducted by NADRA has unearthed the facts in a fake scam orchestrated by British daily “The Sun” in its story titled “Olympic terror visa racket” that aimed at maligning Pakistan’s image in the world ahead of Olympics.
There was no fraud or illegal activity done while obtaining the ID cards and passport of the “Sun insider” Mohammad Ali Asad. NADRA’s investigation proved that documentary and video evidence was available that showed Asad was himself present for the renewal of his expired CNIC. According to NADRA’s database, Mohammad Ali Asad obtained a CNIC number 35202-2660630-5 from NADRA on February 6, 2002. He later immigrated to the UK and lived there for the past 8-10 years. His British passport, number 506486804, was issued on October 24, 2011 and had the same name and photograph as that in NADRA’s record. The passport, however bore a fake place and date of birth. Asad was chosen by “The Sun” as an undercover correspondent who traveled to Pakistan on July 8, 2012.
He stayed at Avari Hotel, Lahore and booked a room from July 8 to July 31 for Rs 18,000 a day. Assad went to NADRA office Baghbanpura to get his photo updated against his own CNIC on July 10, 2012, rather than getting someone else’s identity as claimed by “The Sun” story. His CNIC was updated after matching with his previous record held in database. After getting his CNIC modified, he applied for his machine readable passport on July 13, which was delivered to him on July 18. Since the same person applied for renewal of his ID card and for provision of a passport, nothing illegal was done.