FIA arrests suspected human smuggler linked to missing Pakistanis in Iran

• Suspect allegedly part of network that collected money from families of 12 Pakistanis who disappeared in Iran

• Nationwide crackdown on illegal migration intensifies as FIA investigates wider human trafficking syndicate

• Investigators probe financial transactions and alleged facilitators connected to cross-border smuggling network

 ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Sunday arrested a suspected human smuggler allegedly linked to a network that collected money from the families of Pakistani citizens who recently went missing in Iran, as authorities intensified their nationwide crackdown on illegal migration and transnational human trafficking.

Thousands of Pakistanis undertake dangerous and illegal journeys to Europe each year in search of better economic opportunities. According to an FIA report on human smuggling released in 2020, Iran and Türkiye serve as key transit countries where organized migrant smuggling networks operate through agents based in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province and other parts of the country. The report stated that these networks use overland routes from Pakistan to smuggle migrants through Iran and Türkiye before attempting to move them onward to Greece.

Earlier this week, the FIA launched an investigation into the reported disappearance of 12 Pakistani youths in Iran.

According to a report carried by the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), the FIA conducted raids at multiple locations to apprehend suspects allegedly involved in sending Pakistani youths abroad under the guise of facilitating their travel to Italy.

During one such operation in Gujrat, the agency arrested a suspect identified as Ahsan Ali Khan.

According to the APP report, investigators found that Ahsan Ali Khan was allegedly part of a human smuggling network that collected money from the families of Pakistani citizens who later went missing in Iran.

The FIA said it was continuing investigations into the broader human trafficking network, including its financial transactions and other alleged facilitators linked to the suspect.

In a separate operation, the agency also arrested another suspect, Atif Mahmood Butt, for allegedly defrauding a citizen of Rs2.145 million (approximately $7,715.8) by falsely promising to arrange a French work visa.

The FIA said both suspects had been taken into custody and that further investigations were under way to identify other individuals involved in the alleged human smuggling and visa fraud networks.

FIA offloads three passengers over fake residence cards

Meanwhile, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Sunday stopped three passengers at Multan International Airport who allegedly attempted to travel abroad using fake residence cards.

According to an FIA spokesperson, the passengers identified as Aakash, Shahzaib and Muhammad Shoaib were attempting to travel to the United Arab Emirates on flight FZ326 when immigration officials intercepted them.

The FIA said the passengers had obtained fake residence cards through agents based in Hasilpur. The suspected agents allegedly sent the forged documents to the passengers via WhatsApp.

Officials said the passengers had paid a significant amount of money to arrange the fake documents and secure immigration clearance.

The FIA also arrested an immigration official allegedly involved in facilitating the clearance process. According to investigators, the official entered incorrect passenger details into the system to assist the travellers.