Islamabad:
In a major breakthrough in the investigation into the boat tragedy in Libya in 2025, the Kohat zone of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested two members of an international human trafficking network.
The suspects, Habibur Rehman and Naveed Ahmed, were apprehended during a raid at Pusht Bazaar, Bajaur.
According to officials, those arrested were part of a network operating alongside Italy accomplices, including Wajid Ali and Shah Faisal. The gang was involved in the smuggling of people in Europe through illegal channels. The tragic boat accident cost the life of 14 Kurram victims, which had been attracted to the perilous journey.
Investigators revealed that the suspects had thrilled a citizen named Shehzad Hussain of RS3.7 million, promising to facilitate his trip to Europe. They, as well as their accomplices, extorted large sums from several victims. Hussain, like many others, tragically lost their life in the boat’s disaster.
During the RAID, the authorities recovered four mobile phones containing crucial evidence, including videos, images, messages and bank transactions, which allowed freezing three bank accounts related to suspects.
Preliminary investigations also revealed that the victims had been detained in safe houses in Libya, where they were faced with physical violence before being forced to the unhappy boat for Europe.
The FIA launched an extensive investigation into the case and collaborates with Interpol to understand the fugitive traffickers operating abroad. The director of the FIA Kohat area said that the repression against those responsible for these tragedies was underway.
He said all the available resources are used to follow and stop traffickers in human beings, and intelligence -based operations are underway to dismantle these networks.
“No one will be allowed to play with innocent lives,” he said, adding that suspects will be faced with the entire strength of the law on the basis of solid evidence.
Last week, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that 16 Pakistani nationals died in a boat accident off the coast of Libya, with at least 10 missing.
Smuggling panels
Five Pakistani travelers who refused to travel illegally to Europe by sea and returned to the country revealed another gang involved in the smuggling of Pakistani in Europe.
According to FIA spokesperson, immigration staff parked at Karachi airport interviewed five passengers who arrived from Mauritania. The passengers revealed that an organized gang helped them and others to reach Europe by illegal means.
During the survey, passengers revealed that the agents had concluded agreements with them to make them pass in Europe in exchange for Rs 2.5 to 3.5 million per person.
