Suspected human trafficker arrested at Islamabad airport

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Immigration team arrested a wanted human trafficking suspect at Islamabad International Airport on Thursday, after he arrived from Dubai on flight ED217.

The suspect, identified as Ajmal Mohammad, is allegedly involved in human trafficking and visa fraud, crimes for which he had been on the FIA’s stop list, Express News reported.

The arrest came after a lengthy investigation into his activities, which led to an arrest warrant being issued for his involvement in a 2023 case related to human trafficking.

According to the FIA’s spokesperson, Mohammad had fled Pakistan after accepting large sums of money under the pretext of providing visas for foreign travel.

He had allegedly used fraudulent methods to facilitate illegal migration and was evading authorities by fleeing the country.

"Ajmal Mohammad was wanted by the Anti-Human Trafficking Circle (AHTC) in Lahore, and his name had been included in the stop list," the FIA spokesperson confirmed.

"He was arrested immediately upon his arrival from the UAE and handed over to the Anti-Human Trafficking Circle Lahore for further legal action."

Human trafficking remains a significant issue in Pakistan, with the FIA continuing its efforts to combat the illegal trade in people.

The arrest of Mohammad is part of the agency's ongoing operations to apprehend suspects involved in trafficking networks operating internationally.

Last month, he Lahore Organised Crime Unit claimed to have dismantled a child smuggling ring involved in luring and trafficking children from Punjab to Azad Kashmir.

During an intelligence-based operation in Kotli, Azad Kashmir, 29 children were safely rescued, police officials confirmed at a press conference.

The operation, led by DIG Organised Crime Imran Kishwar, resulted in the arrest of the group's ringleader, Imran alias Kan Pata and two accomplices, Muhammad Nasir and Ali Raza.

The suspects had been targeting homeless and runaway children, promising them employment before smuggling them to Azad Kashmir, where they were held in illegal confinement.

Authorities revealed that the children had suffered severe human rights violations, including forced labour and sexual abuse.

The rescued children are now under protection, and further investigations are underway to gather more evidence and bring additional charges against the culprits.