Passport scam: Case registered against Ali Asad

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rehman Malik says a case has been registered against Ali Asad in the alleged passport scam and British government has been asked to deport him.

The story in British tabloid Sun about alleged passport scam was a conspiracy to bring Pakistan into bad name, he said at news conference here Saturday. He said investigations into the matter are almost complete and these prove that Pakistan's National Database & Registration Authority NADRA and passport systems are intact.

He said central figure of the story Asad Ali got Pakistani passport in 2000 and went to UK where he got British passport and dual nationality. He visited Pakistan on British passport and visa and his movements were recorded during visit to NADRA and Passport Office.

He said as Ali Assad colluded with the Sun in a bid to malign Pakistan‚ "we are writing to British Government for his deportation to face criminal proceedings. The facts gathered during investigations have also been sent to the British newspaper through Pakistan High Commission in London. In first instance‚ Pakistan would lodge a complaint with National Press Trust of UK‚ which can also refer case for libel proceedings."

On travel agent Abid Chaudhry‚ Minister said he is being interrogated by FIA but he has not been arrested because of death of his brother.

To a question‚ Malik said two officials of NADRA and two of Passport Office are in custody for allegedly take speed money. He rejected that scam is an effort to sabotage proposed $66 million agreement between NADRA and Kenya. (APP)