FIA arrests two suspected human traffickers

KARACHI  –  The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested two suspected human traffickers and taken 16 people into custody while foiling an attempt at illegal migration to Europe through Iran and Iraq, the agency said on Friday. According to an FIA press release, the Anti-Human Trafficking Circle (AHTC) Karachi carried out a coordinated crackdown at multiple locations across Karachi and Balochistan on the instructions of the Director FIA DKZ. During the operation, FIA officials arrested two suspected human trafficking agents, identified as Baber Shahzad and Muhammad Imtiaz Malik. The agency also took 16 prospective migrants into custody who were allegedly attempting to reach Europe through unauthorised land routes via Iran and Iraq, commonly known as the “Dunki” route.

Initial investigations suggested that the suspects had arranged travel and other logistical support for the migrants in exchange for substantial sums of money, exposing them to serious risks while crossing borders through illegal routes, the FIA said.

Legal proceedings have been initiated against the arrested suspects under the relevant provisions of the Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants Act and other applicable laws, the agency added.

Further investigations are under way to identify other members of the suspected trafficking network and dismantle the wider syndicate.

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