Eight Pakistan nationals in court for forging trav...

Eight Pakistan nationals in court for forging travel documents

Zim Now Writer

Seven men and a minor appeared in court for forging immigration visa approval letters with a fake signature of the regional immigration officer.

The names of the accused are Farukh Dilawar, 20, Tahir Azeem, 37, Sikandar Zulqarnain, 31, Muhammad Tahir, 26, Muhammad Fayaz, 39, Muhammad Asif, 26, Muhammad Ali, 28 and a minor aged 15.

They appeared before magistrate Dennis Mangosi at the Harare Magistrates' Court charged with contravening Section 36(1) (e) of the Immigration act, Chapter 4:02.

The state alleges that in the period between November, 2022-16 January, 2023 the accused persons wanted to fraudulently acquire Zimbabwean holiday visas.

They forged Immigration visa approval letters with an impersonated signature of regional immigration officer and endorsed non-existent immigration headquarters reference numbers for the seven.

They wanted to use them upon their arrival in Zimbabwe.

On January 16, 2023 around 1030 hours they arrived at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport aboard Qatar Airways and Ethiopian Airways.

They stated that one Pax Muringazuva was their host on their declaration forms.

The accused persons went on to submit the forged approval letters and declaration forms to immigration officials for application of holiday visas.

The accused were successful as they were issued with 30-day holiday visas which they were not entitled to after tendering the forged visa approval letter.

However at around 1400 hours the seven and a minor were arrested at number 19 Dorchester, Mabelreign, Harare.

The case was postponed to Thursday, January 19 for bail application.