A UK media investigation has claimed that migrants from the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) have reportedly used fake documents to secure entry visa into the country, with many filing for asylum later on.
One of the prominent news dailies in the country said an undercover probe revealed that migrants are offering up to 50,000 pounds for a visa application packed with false information.
The report said that one of the applications received by the UK Home Office included a job reference from a “fake hospital” in PoK.
Though Pakistanis, along with Afghans, Iranians, and Bangladeshis, form a majority migrant base arriving in the UK. Yet they are not among the top nationalities arriving in the UK illegally via small boats.
Harjap Bhangal, an immigration lawyer, informed the investigative reporters of the news daily that “They don’t need to come on small boats because they come on visas. They are one of the biggest groups that come on visas and don’t go back.”
Meanwhile, the UK Home Office reacted to the revelations, saying that it is investigating the claims revealed by the investigation as it continues to revoke licenses of those abusing the UK law.
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A Home Office spokesperson said, "Illegal activity will not be tolerated, and we will stop at nothing to ensure our immigration rules are respected and enforced.
That is why we are investigating these claims and already taking firm action to disrupt illegal activity when it is found, including suspending licenses, pursuing enforcement, and strengthening safeguards to protect the integrity of the immigration system.”
He said, “The Home Office has reportedly taken action against the 30,000 people who had no legal basis to be in the country.”
“We are also going to introduce new mechanisms to quickly terminate registered advisers and organisations suspected of carrying out the most flagrant abuse of the system,” the spokesperson said.
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