500 Afghans held over fake Pakistani passports

Karachi: Pakistani authorities have arrested more than 500 people in recent days, all believed to be Afghans, for travelling on fake Pakistani passports, an immigration official said yesterday.

The suspects were arrested in the southern port city of Karachi after they were deported from Jeddah, having gone to Saudi Arabia for the annual Haj pilgrimage.

"They have been arrested under the Foreigners Act and investigations are being conducted to find out how they obtained these passports," senior immigration official Khaleeq-uz-Zaman told Reuters.

He said 202 people were arrested at Karachi airport after they were deported from Saudi Arabia in two batches beginning on Tuesday. They included 45 women.

He said 305 others had been arrested in similar circumstances since January 20.