Hajj quotas: Three human smugglers held

ISLAMABAD: Three men were arrested on Tuesday on charges of fudging numbers for Hajj quotas during a raid in Sector F-7. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Anti Human Trafficking Cell (AHTC) said they are also involved in human trafficking. The raid was conducted after a tip off, and the arrested men include a driver working for the Saudi embassy, a high-ranking government official, and a medical doctor. The arrested men were later identified as Dr Sajid, Ibrar Ahmed, and Shahid Iqbal. Thirty passports and other documents were recovered from their possession. The accused were reportedly involved in conniving to commit fraud in Hajj quotas along with Hajj tour operators. The FIA expects more information to become available after interrogations are completed. The FIA has also decided to expand the scope of the investigation as there is credible evidence that major players are involved in the operation.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 29^th, 2016.