Law enforcement agencies in Peshawar have carried out a series of large-scale operations targeting a sprawling network involved in the production of fake Pakistani identity cards and harboring illegal Afghan refugees, resulting in the arrest of 45 individuals, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
The operations, conducted across major commercial hubs including Ashraf Road, Atta Market, Chowk-e-Yadgar, Namak Mandi, Peepal Mandi, and various bazaars in Peshawar Cantt, involved extensive searches and coordinated raids. Security officials said the arrested individuals are suspected of both forging national identity cards and facilitating illegal residency within the city.
In addition to the commercial centers, authorities intensified searches in residential areas. Joint teams from federal and provincial law enforcement agencies expanded the operation citywide, setting up checkpoints and monitoring movement in and around Peshawar to ensure thorough coverage.
According to official sources, these arrests are part of a broader crackdown ahead of Ramadan, aimed at curbing illegal activities, including the creation and distribution of fake identity documents. Since the start of these measures, more than 72,703 national identity cards linked to fraudulent activity have been blocked across the province.
Officials stressed that further arrests are expected as investigations continue and the network is traced. “This operation demonstrates our resolve to prevent misuse of official documents and illegal residency,” said a senior security official. “No one involved in creating or facilitating fake identities will be allowed to operate with impunity.”
The crackdown also highlights the increasing challenges posed by illegal residency and identity fraud in Peshawar, a city historically located on key migration and trade routes. Authorities warned that vigilance and continued coordination between federal and provincial agencies are crucial to dismantling networks that exploit gaps in administrative oversight.
