FIA Gujranwala arrests three human smugglers in major anti-trafficking operations

In a series of major operations, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Gujranwala Zone has arrested three alleged human smugglers involved in visa fraud and extorting millions from citizens by falsely promising employment opportunities abroad.

The suspects — identified as Muhammad Sabtain, Talha Hassan, and Omar Usman — were apprehended during raids conducted in Mandi Bahauddin, and Gujrat districts.

According to FIA officials, Muhammad Sabtain was involved in duping a citizen of over Rs. 3 million by promising a job in Spain. However, instead of sending the victim to Spain, Sabtain rerouted him to Mauritania, and later attempted to smuggle him into Europe by boat. The citizen, refusing the risky sea route, eventually returned.

In a separate operation, Omar Usman was arrested in Phalia, where authorities recovered 22 Pakistani passports from his possession. He was allegedly operating a network to send citizens abroad illegally. During questioning, Usman failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the recovered passports, raising further suspicion of trafficking activity.

Meanwhile, Talha Hassan was found involved in smuggling citizens to Iran, Turkey, and Kyrgyzstan under the pretext of providing overseas employment. He is accused of luring job seekers with false promises and sending them through illegal channels.

All three suspects have been taken into custody, and investigations are underway. An FIA spokesperson confirmed that the crackdown is part of an intensified campaign against human traffickers operating in the region.