If a team member remains in Russia and attempts to flee to Europe, legal action will be taken.
Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). PHOTO: FILE
PESHAWAR:
The Peshawar Zone Anti-Human Trafficking Circle of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has received complaints regarding the recent tour to Moscow, Russia, of Pakistan’s Kyokushin Karate team, suggesting the involvement of immigrants and attempts to escape illegally from Russia to Europe.
The National Karate Cup tournament, organized in Moscow from February 28 to March 2, allegedly served as a cover for human trafficking.
Deputy Director of the Peshawar FIA Zone Anti-Human Trafficking Circle Rana Shahid Habib told media representatives that according to the complaint, all officials and members of the Pakistan Kyokushin Karate team who participated in the Moscow event will be thoroughly investigated. A complete list of participants will be verified. If an individual remains in Russia and attempts to flee to Europe, strict legal action will be taken against them.
He added that the FIA is closely monitoring human trafficking under the guise of sports in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
Read: Pakistani news channels hacked with pro-Mossad messages
According to reliable sources, several officials and agents of official and unofficial sports federations and associations use international events for the purposes of human trafficking. They will be investigated and if concrete evidence is found, strict legal action and formal proceedings will be initiated against them.
All associations and federations will have to ensure that participation in international competitions is transparent and that a No Objection Certificate (NOC) is obtained from the Pakistan Sports Council. This will prevent fake players from joining teams and disappearing abroad, which would damage Pakistan’s reputation.
Deputy Director Rana Shahid Habib also said that Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Directorate General of Sports officials involved in human trafficking through sports would also be investigated.
According to sources and media reports, over the past three to four years, other sports, including football, futsal and squash, have also been used for human trafficking.
