FIA arrests 16 suspects in Gujranwala crackdown on human trafficking

The Federal Investigation Agency’s Gujranwala Zone has arrested 16 suspects, including alleged human traffickers, agents and proclaimed offenders, during a major crackdown on illegal immigration and overseas employment fraud, an FIA spokesperson said.

The arrested suspects were wanted in different cases involving allegations of receiving large sums of money from citizens on the pretext of sending them abroad or arranging jobs in foreign countries.

According to the FIA, the cases registered against the suspects involve alleged fraud amounting to a total of Rs289.65 million. Authorities also uncovered alleged transactions involving $50,000 and 25,000 Qatari riyals in different cases.

The arrested suspects include Shafaat Abbas, Muhammad Suleman, Haji Muhammad Ijaz, Shoaib Sarwar, Muhammad Haseeb, Wajid Ali, Muhammad Ashfaq, Nisar Ahmed alias Sherry, Amir Aziz, Amir Sohail, Muhammad Ishtiaq, Muhammad Afzal, Owais Ali, Muhammad Aslam and Muhammad Ahsan, among others.

The FIA also arrested a person who had been deported from Libya. During the initial investigation, he allegedly made important disclosures about agents involved in facilitating his illegal travel abroad.

The FIA spokesperson said further investigation into the cases was underway and efforts were being made to arrest other facilitators and individuals allegedly involved in the network.

The FIA Gujranwala Zone said operations would continue against those involved in human trafficking, illegal immigration and defrauding citizens in the name of overseas employment.

Reporter: Zahid Iqbal Rana