New Delhi, October 4 – Top intelligence sources have confirmed to CNN-News18 that the Visa Section of the Pakistan High Commission (PHC) in New Delhi is being systematically misused as a hub for espionage activities. Officials describe it as a “soft entry point” to identify, recruit, and groom vulnerable Indian nationals for intelligence operations.
The latest evidence of this network emerged with the September 30 arrest of Waseem Akram, a civil engineer from Palwal, Haryana, under the Official Secrets Act (OSA) and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Akram is accused of acting as a courier and data supplier for PHC official Jaffar, alias Muzammil Hussain.
Recruit–Reward–Exploit Modus Operandi
According to investigators, Akram’s case highlights the PHC’s structured espionage pipeline, which thrives on financial vulnerabilities and cross-border kinship ties:
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Corruption as Entry Point: Akram’s recruitment began during his visa application in 2022. His visa, initially denied, was later approved after he paid a ₹20,000 bribe—marking his first compromise.
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Financial Inducement: Once compromised, Akram received between ₹4–5 lakh through direct bank transfers, local cash deliveries (₹80,000 and ₹1.5 lakh), and SIM card handovers in Palwal, all under the pretext of “visa facilitation funds.”
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Intelligence Extraction: After a trip to Kasur, Pakistan, Akram reportedly maintained WhatsApp contact with Jaffar, supplying SIM cards, OTPs, and sensitive details relating to Indian Army personnel.
Institutionalised Diplomatic Abuse
Investigators say this low-cost hybrid espionage model repeatedly targets individuals in Palwal, Nuh, and Malerkotla—districts with significant cross-border family ties. Family visit visas are used as emotional leverage, while digital platforms like UPI and WhatsApp provide covert channels for money transfers and communication.
This pattern mirrors earlier espionage modules involving PHC staffer Danish, alias Ehsan-ur-Rahim, and local recruits from Punjab and Haryana. Following exposure, officials such as Danish and Jaffar were declared Persona Non Grata (PNG) and expelled from India.
However, sources warn that new PHC officials continue similar operations, suggesting not isolated misconduct but an institutionally sanctioned intelligence strategy that adapts to India’s social and digital vulnerabilities.
“What appears to be routine visa corruption,” one senior intelligence officer observed, “is in reality a carefully orchestrated espionage mechanism.”
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