Five arrested in Islamabad for human trafficking linked to Umrah visas

The suspects planned to travel from Saudi Arabia to Libya and then attempt a sea journey to Italy.

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The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Immigration team foiled a major human trafficking operation at Islamabad Airport on Friday.

The authorities arrested five individuals, including a 16-year-old child, attempting to travel to SaFive Suspects Arrested in Lahore Over Human Trafficking Operation Linked to Umrah Visas in Islamabadudi Arabia on Umrah visas as part of a broader human smuggling scheme.

According to an FIA spokesperson, the suspects—Miraj Khan, Usman Khan, Asad Ali, Murtaza Ali, and the minor—had planned to travel to Saudi Arabia under the pretense of performing Umrah. From there, they intended to reach Libya and subsequently attempt to reach Italy by sea.

The suspects had allegedly paid 3.9 million Pakistani rupees each to agents Wajid Khan and Faisal Khan for facilitating their travel arrangements.

During the search, two Egyptian visas were also recovered from the suspects. Initial investigations suggest that the remaining visas were supposed to be provided by sub-agents in Saudi Arabia.

The FIA’s timely intervention has exposed the human trafficking network, and the suspects have been transferred to the Anti-Human Trafficking Circle in Islamabad for further investigation.

Authorities are intensifying efforts to apprehend the agents involved in the scheme.

The FIA has pledged to continue its crackdown on human traffickers, utilizing all available resources to bring the culprits to justice.