Pakistani Man Arrested at Karachi Airport Over Alleged Fake Same-Sex Marriage for Australian Asylum Bid

Karachi: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Immigration Wing has arrested a Pakistani man at Jinnah International Airport for allegedly attempting to travel abroad using a fake same-sex marriage arrangement to seek political asylum in Australia.

According to media reports, the suspect, a resident of Gujranwala, was detained while attempting to travel to Australia via Sri Lanka. FIA officials alleged that he had entered into a fraudulent marriage agreement with an Australian national in an effort to strengthen an asylum and immigration case.

Deputy Director Immigration Shehzad Akbar stated that the passenger was stopped due to suspicious behavior at the airport immigration counter. Officials said a technical examination of his mobile phone allegedly revealed documents related to an asylum application in Australia, along with other material linked to the case.

During preliminary questioning, the suspect reportedly admitted that he had paid around Rs4 million to an Australian citizen identified as Steven Christopher as part of the arrangement. Investigators claim the Australian national visited Pakistan in April 2026, where documents relating to the alleged marriage agreement were prepared for submission in support of the immigration case.

FIA officials further stated that the suspect had previously attempted to travel abroad illegally on multiple occasions. According to authorities, he allegedly tried to enter Europe through Iran in 2019 but was detained by Greek authorities and later deported to Turkey. Another attempt in 2022 reportedly ended when immigration authorities in the Maldives sent him back to Pakistan.

The FIA said the suspect has been handed over to the Anti-Human Trafficking Circle in Karachi for further investigation and legal proceedings, while efforts are underway to trace and arrest other individuals allegedly linked to the network.