FIA arrests human traffickers in Lahore:
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Lahore Zone has arrested five suspects involved in human trafficking operations, including a key figure allegedly linked to the 2023 Greece boat tragedy that resulted in dozens of deaths.
According to the FIA spokesperson, the arrests were made during a series of coordinated raids in Lahore and Sheikhupura. Among the detained individuals are Sibtain Abbas, Bilal Ahmad, Waseem Azam, Muhammad Riaz, and Muhammad Aamir Farooq — all accused of defrauding Pakistani citizens with false promises of overseas employment and visas.
Sibtain Abbas reportedly took Rs 1.7 million from a citizen, promising a work visa for Italy. Instead, he attempted to smuggle the victim via a boat from Libya, which later capsized in Greek waters. The victim remains missing. Authorities have linked Abbas to a wider network involved in organizing the tragic journey that killed over 80 Pakistanis near Greece in 2023.
Bilal Ahmad was arrested for allegedly deceiving another citizen out of Rs 630,000, promising a Qatar work visa. During his arrest, FIA officials recovered 13 Pakistani passports, indicating deeper ties to an underground immigration racket.
The other three suspects — Waseem Azam, Muhammad Riaz, and Aamir Farooq — were operating under a fake consultancy firm called “Gulf Medical Consultants.” They allegedly lured victims with fraudulent job offers abroad, using fake documents and deceitful tactics. According to investigators, the consultancy was used as a front to conduct large-scale human trafficking and visa scams.
The FIA’s crackdown in Lahore is part of a broader national operation targeting human trafficking networks that exploit vulnerable Pakistanis seeking better futures abroad. The agency reiterated its zero-tolerance policy against such activities, promising to continue identifying and prosecuting those who endanger lives and damage the country’s international reputation.
Officials believe the arrests represent a significant breakthrough in dismantling illegal immigration syndicates operating in Pakistan. Further investigations are underway, and more arrests are expected in connection with the 2023 Greece tragedy and other human trafficking schemes.
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Earlier this week in Karachi, FIA authorities also arrested the chairperson of a non-governmental organization accused of child trafficking. The suspect allegedly smuggled children to the United States under the guise of adoption, further highlighting the growing concern over organized trafficking rings operating under fake humanitarian fronts.
The FIA urges citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious visa or job offers to the authorities. The agency remains committed to protecting Pakistani citizens from falling prey to false promises of overseas employment and holding traffickers accountable.
