The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested five agents involved in human trafficking and visa fraud schemes.
The suspects, operating in Gujranwala and Gujrat, scammed unsuspecting citizens with promises of job opportunities abroad, Express News reported.
The arrested agents, identified as Farooq Adil, Nazaqat Ali, Muhammad Asif, Muhammad Arsalan and Adnan Ali, collectively defrauded the victims of almost 10 million rupees ($35,000).
Each suspect targeted individuals with job offers in various countries, including Europe and the Middle East.
Nazaqat Ali allegedly swindled 5 million rupees ($17,500) by promising illegal passage to Libya and Europe.
Farooq Adil defrauded a victim of 1.45 million rupees ($5,100) with the false promise of a job in Romania, while Muhammad Asif tricked someone into paying 1.1 million rupees ($3 850 dollars) for a work opportunity in Kyrgyzstan.
Arsalan and Adnan Ali deceived their victims with job offers in Kuwait and Italy, taking 1.03 million rupees ($3,600) and 1.3 million rupees ($4,550), respectively.
The suspects hid after recovering these large sums.
FIA Zonal Director Gujranwala said raids are underway to apprehend other suspects.
Authorities are employing all resources and conducting intelligence-led operations to dismantle human trafficking networks. Authorities are committed to securing convictions based on solid evidence against the defendants.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered authorities to step up action against human traffickers and their enablers, ordering those responsible to make them “examples for others.”
At a high-level meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz commended the FIA for its recent actions against government officials involved in facilitating human trafficking networks.
He stressed the need for swift legal action to seize traffickers’ assets and hold them accountable.
“Strict legal measures should be taken against all human trafficking groups operating in the country so that they become a warning to others,” Prime Minister Shehbaz said.
He urged the Ministry of Law and Justice to hire high-level prosecutors to strengthen the prosecution of traffickers and ensure effective judicial procedures.
The Prime Minister also directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to liaise with its international counterparts for the extradition of Pakistani nationals carrying out smuggling operations from abroad.
In a bid to curb illegal immigration, Prime Minister Shehbaz called for a nationwide awareness campaign, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, to promote the use of legal channels for seek employment abroad.
Prime Minister Shehbaz highlighted the importance of strengthening technical training institutes to produce certified professionals aligned with the demands of the global market. In addition, he asked authorities to improve screening protocols at airports for people traveling abroad.
