During the holy month of Ramadan, a time when Muslims worldwide engage in worship and good deeds, certain elements have been found exploiting this sacred occasion for illicit activities.
Recent reports indicate a concerning rise in human trafficking from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia, with women allegedly being trafficked for immoral purposes.
In an exclusive interview, FIA Deputy Director Khawaja Hammad disclosed that the agency has received reports about networks involved in sending women to Saudi Arabia under the guise of Umrah visas.
These women are deceived with promises of better employment, marriage, or religious pilgrimage. However, upon arrival, they are subjected to forced labor and coerced into immoral activities.
In response, the FIA and other relevant authorities have launched a crackdown on these trafficking networks. Initial investigations reveal that traffickers employ sophisticated methods, including the misuse of Umrah visas through fraudulent agents, visa processing scams, and coercion of victims into illegal activities.
Most of the affected women come from vulnerable and underprivileged backgrounds. They are enticed with false promises of better opportunities abroad, only to have their travel documents confiscated upon arrival, leaving them trapped and exploited.
The government has expressed serious concerns over this issue. The Ministry of Interior and the FIA have announced stricter measures to curb the misuse of Umrah visas. These include tighter monitoring of the visa issuance process, rigorous scrutiny of travel agencies and tour operators, and immediate legal action against those involved in human trafficking.
Authorities have urged the public to avoid obtaining visas through unverified travel agents or suspicious companies. They emphasize the importance of verifying sources before making any travel arrangements to prevent falling victim to such schemes.
