FIA releases 13th Red Book: 143 most-wanted human traffickers named

The Federal Investigation Agency has issued the 13th edition of its Red Book of most-wanted human smugglers. The updated list also includes seven women traffickers. Special anti-human smuggling cells have been formed across the country, while Red notices have also been issued for those hiding abroad.

According to the Federal Investigation Agency's (FIA) latest Red Book of most-wanted smugglers and human traffickers, 143 individuals are wanted in various cases. Cases against these traffickers have been registered in FIA’s Anti-Human Trafficking Circles.

The CNICs and passports of these most-wanted smugglers have been blacklisted, while Red Notices have also been issued for those who fled abroad.

The breakdown includes: 70 wanted in the Gujranwala Zone, 25 in Islamabad Zone, 14 in Lahore Zone, 13 in Faisalabad Zone, 10 in Karachi Zone, 6 in Kohat Zone, and 3 in Multan Zone. Meanwhile, Balochistan and K-P zones each have one wanted trafficker.

Read: Human trafficking: FIA to enhance presence

The Red Book also lists seven women human traffickers — four from Islamabad Zone, two from Lahore, and one from Gujranwala Zone.

As per the FIA, 51 most-wanted traffickers listed in the 2023 edition of the Red Book have already been arrested. A special crackdown is ongoing to apprehend the remaining traffickers, with dedicated raiding teams deployed.

However, recent investigations have revealed that key operators of Pakistan's human smuggling rackets are based abroad, running powerful networks from overseas, adding that the overseas offices will help disrupt such operations.

The sources said that the new offices will be set up in the United Kingdom (UK), Spain, Italy, Türkiye, Malaysia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

They added that new offices will focus on tracking trafficking routes and coordinating efforts with host authorities.