Pakistan to sue on report of passport scam

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, July 25 (UPI) -- Pakistani lawmakers decided to sue the British tabloid The Sun Wednesday for its Olympic passport scam reporting, calling the reporting false.

The publication had reported a crime ring was issuing fake passports and visas, giving potential terrorists a chance to sneak into Britain with Pakistan's Olympic delegation, the Express Tribune reported.

The cabinet, following a briefing by National Database and Registration Authority Chairman Muhammad Tariq Malik, said The Sun wrote "false propaganda" when it accused Lahore-based politician Abid Chaudhry of skirting security checks to smuggle people to London in exchange for a cash payment.

Officials in Pakistan are investigating the matter, including examining Chaudhry's background, as are the Federal Investigation Agency and other agencies, the Express Tribune said.

The Federal Investigation Agency has arrested 11 suspects in scams thought to be executed by Chaudhry and other officials.

On Wednesday, the Federal Investigation Agency conducted a raid and arrested "Madam Babri," whom authorities said was a human smuggler, for passing along fake Olympics visas, Express News said.

Babri reportedly used newspaper classified advertising for her scam, officials said.

The London Summer Olympics begins Friday.