ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has launched a series of operations across Pakistan targeting human trafficking, visa fraud, and illegal money transfers (hawala/hundi), resulting in multiple arrests and the recovery of forged documents, fake passports, and large amounts of cash.
At Karachi Airport, FIA immigration officers stopped three passengers attempting to leave the country using fraudulent travel documents. The suspects—identified as Khalid Baloch, Muhammad Arif, and Amin—were detained and handed over to the Anti-Human Trafficking Circle for investigation.
Authorities said Khalid and Arif were carrying Pakistani passports with fake Qatari work visas. Investigations revealed they were Iranian nationals who had illegally acquired Pakistani documents by paying Rs. 110,000 to agents.
In a separate case, Amin, an Afghan citizen, was apprehended while attempting to travel to Saudi Arabia using a fake passport and protector certificate. He reportedly entered Pakistan through the Chaman border.
In Multan, FIA arrested Ahmad Nazir, who was accused of taking Rs. 850,000 from a citizen under the pretence of arranging a job in Dubai and then disappearing without fulfilling the promise.
Another suspect, Kamran Akram, was apprehended on Bosan Road for allegedly running an illegal hawala operation and assisting individuals in travelling abroad through unlawful channels. Authorities recovered 13 passports, laptops, mobile phones, and other evidence from his possession.
In Gujranwala, FIA arrested Muhammad Imran Butt and Wajid Ali Shah for their alleged involvement in unauthorized money transfers. Officials said they were found with Rs. 1.9 million in cash, along with hawala receipts, bank slips, and mobile phones.
In a separate operation, FIA detained four suspects—Muhammad Tariq, Muhammad Yameen, Muhammad Owais, and Akbar—on charges of human trafficking and financial fraud. According to investigators, Tariq collected Rs. 4.5 million from a victim by promising a job in Spain and attempting to send the individual to Europe by boat.
Yameen allegedly took Rs. 675,000 for a job in Dubai and cut contact after the victim’s arrival. Owais was accused of taking Rs. 1.25 million and sending a man to Bahrain, where he was reportedly subjected to forced labor.
Akbar reportedly received more than Rs. 5 million to arrange employment in Italy but failed to deliver and disappeared.
All suspects have been arrested and further investigations are underway to locate additional accomplices.
The FIA urged the public to avoid unverified agents and to use only legal and authorized methods for overseas employment. The agency stated that its crackdown would continue until the dismantling of criminal networks involved in these operations.
