13 arrested as FIA foils major human trafficking attempt at Islamabad airport

A human trafficking attempt disguised as an Umrah pilgrimage was thwarted by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) immigration staff at Islamabad International Airport. Authorities arrested 13 passengers and their facilitator, offloading them from a Saudi-bound flight.

An FIA spokesperson revealed that the suspects, travelling on Umrah visas, were intending to reach Libya and then Italy via Saudi Arabia.

The passengers were apprehended after suspicions arose during routine questioning. Evidence of contact with agents was found on their mobile phones.

The accused, identified as Ehtesham, Adil, Shehryar, Ali Hamza, Murad, Suleman, Hayatullah, Bilal, Sakhawat, Waseem Abbas, Shehzad, Aamir Sohail, Waqif Khan, and their facilitator Asad Iqbal, hail from Peshawar, Attock, and Sialkot. They were linked to a primary agent, Sameer Qayum, based in Libya.

Investigations revealed that the suspects had paid large sums to agents for illegal entry into Italy via Libya.

The accused have been transferred to the Anti-Human Trafficking Circle in Islamabad for further legal proceedings.