FIA stops alleged human trafficking attempt at Lahore airport

LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency said on Wednesday it had stopped an alleged human smuggling attempt at Allama Iqbal International Airport by offloading three passengers, a man and his two sons, who were allegedly being sent to Italy through an irregular route.

According to an FIA spokesperson, the three were due to travel to Baku on flight PA-468 when immigration officials became suspicious during routine clearance and sent them to a verification counter for closer examination.

The spokesperson said officials found Albanian visas and digital material linked to Serbia during the verification process. The passengers’ mobile phones also allegedly contained records of contact with suspected human smuggling agents. During questioning, the three told investigators that an agent had arranged their onward illegal journey to Italy via Azerbaijan and Serbia.

The FIA said the agent had demanded Rs4 million from each person and that Rs3.4 million per passenger had already been paid in advance. The three passengers were later handed over to the FIA’s Anti-Human Trafficking Circle in Lahore for further investigation and legal action, while the suspected agents involved in the alleged network are also being investigated, the spokesperson added.