MULTAN: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has successfully thwarted an attempt to illegally travel to Europe under the pretext of performing Umrah, uncovering a larger organized human trafficking network in the process.
The operation, conducted at Multan Airport, has shed light on the growing issue of illegal migration facilitated by unscrupulous agents.
According to an FIA spokesperson, a passenger identified as Asif Iqbal was intercepted during immigration clearance while attempting to board a flight to Saudi Arabia on an Umrah visa.
The visa raised suspicions, prompting further scrutiny. Initial investigations revealed that Iqbal’s ultimate destination was not Saudi Arabia but Albania, from where he intended to enter Europe via an illegal sea route.
The FIA’s preliminary findings indicate that Iqbal, a resident of Pakpattan, was in contact with an unidentified agent based in Sahiwal. The agent had allegedly collected millions of rupees from Iqbal under the false promise of facilitating his illegal entry into Europe.
Officials said this case highlights the modus operandi of human trafficking syndicates, which exploit the aspirations of individuals seeking better opportunities abroad.
The detained passenger has been transferred to the Anti-Human Trafficking Circle in Multan for a thorough investigation.
Meanwhile, the FIA is actively pursuing the agent involved in this case, with efforts underway to dismantle the broader network behind this illegal operation.
