Afghan smuggler linked to Libya-Europe trafficking route arrested in Abbottabad

Investigation continues as FIA targets suspects in the Greece boat tragedy case.

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An Afghan human smuggler, involved in trafficking citizens to Europe via Libya, has been arrested in Abbottabad.

The suspect, identified as Afser Khan, was captured following an intelligence-based operation by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in the region, Express News reported.

Afser Khan is the brother of the infamous human trafficking agent, Qari Jan Muhammad, and has been implicated in smuggling individuals across the sea route from Libya to Europe.

He was arrested in Haripur, and evidence found on his mobile phone points to his involvement in illegal human trafficking activities, with links to victims and other agents.

The FIA has launched an investigation into the smuggler's network and is carrying out raids to apprehend additional suspects.

The authorities stressed that the crackdown on individuals involved in the recent boat tragedy off the coast of Greece is ongoing, and all available resources are being used to ensure that no one is allowed to exploit innocent lives.

Earlier today, it was reported that FIA carried out a massive crackdown against human traffickers, making several arrests and blacklisting the passports of several agents involved in the heinous crime which claimed several lives.

Following the Greece and Libya boat tragedies, which claimed the lives of several Pakistanis during illegal immigration, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued strict directions to bust organised and unorganised gangs involved in human trafficking. The number of arrested suspects in connection with the 2023 Libya boat incident has reached 144.

Authorities were directed to immediately block the identity cards and bank accounts of the agents involved in boat accidents. Consequently, the FIA sprung into action and carried out multiple raids, arrests and other measures against illegal immigration.

During the investigation, it was revealed that most of the immigrants departed on regular legal visit visas via various airports in Pakistan, instead of opting for illegal land routes used by human traffickers. These immigrants then slipped through the land route from Dubai and Iran and were picked up by human smugglers to reach Libya, from there they crossed the international border to reach Europe on boats.

The alleged collusion of the FIA immigration staff has also come to light. Two officers, including the shift in-charge of FIA immigration at Faisalabad airport, were arrested and a case was registered. Orders were also issued to keep the names of 31 FIA immigration officers and personnel from Islamabad, Sialkot and other airports in the Provisional National Identification List (PNIL) due to suspicious activities in the Greek boat accident.

FIA officials say in the light of the PM's directives, investigations into boat accidents will be expedited. The number of suspects arrested during the FIA crackdown in the 2023 Libya boat accident has increased to 144, including 16 declared and most wanted human smugglers whose names were placed in the Red Book.

A total of 197 cases were registered in the Libya boat accident. The passports of the 55 accused were blacklisted. The international agents involved in human trafficking are also being squeezed and arrests of human traffickers residing abroad are being carried out with the help of Interpol, the officials add. Red notices were issued for the arrest of 20 foreign agents involved in human trafficking.