Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said that 'The Sun' news story of alleged passport scam was a conspiracy against Pakistan and ordered Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to register a case against the British newspaper agent Muhammad Ali Asad for distorting the facts.
Muhmmad Ali Asad possessed a Pakistani passport earlier and had dual nationality, but he did not mention it in his form when he was applying for passport. "Asad manipulated the true story to bring a bad name to Pakistan due to which he has ordered the Director General FIA to register a case against him (Asad) and will also ask the Britain government for his deportation from the UK," he said this while addressing a press conference here on Saturday.
Malik said that 90 per cent of investigation into the alleged passport scam had been completed, which proved that National Database & Registration Authority (NADRA) and passport systems were clear. Asad Ali got Pakistani passport in year 2000 and went to UK where he got British passport and dual nationality. He visited Pakistan on British passport, visa and his movements were recorded even his visit to NADRA and passport office, he said.
Malik said that Muhmmad Ali got Pakistani passport, but he did not travel or did not misuse passport anywhere. Ali Asad has been involved in similar frauds in the past too in the UK. He said that the Ministry of Interior would submit its report to the cabinet as well and would lodge complaint with National Press Trust of UK‚ which could also refer the case for libel proceedings. "We are writing to the British Government for his deportation to face criminal proceedings. We will also send the facts gathered during investigations to British newspaper through Pakistan High Commission in London," he said.
The minister said that FIA had also interrogated Abid Chaudhry, main suspect in the scam, but had not arrested him due to death of his brother. He was willing to record his statement with the FIA voluntarily right now, he said. He said that Interior Ministry would also once again approach Indian authorities to allow judicial commission from Pakistan to visit the country (India) to cross-examine four witnesses in connection with Mumbai attacks. Cross-examination of these witnesses was necessary for completion of court proceedings in Pakistan. The Ministry of Interior would write a letter to Indian Interior Ministry in this regard, he said.