FIA issues red book of human traffickers

Agency currently seeks 143 human smugglers

ISLAMABAD:

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has released the 13th edition of its "Red Book" — a 165-page document providing details of most-wanted human smugglers.

Interestingly, the Red Book also lists seven women human traffickers among the most-wanted: four from the Islamabad Zone, two from Lahore, and one from Gujranwala.

According to the document, the FIA currently seeks 143 human smugglers wanted in various cases of human smuggling and trafficking. Cases against these traffickers have been registered with FIA's Anti-Human Trafficking Circles across the country. Zone-wise, 70 are wanted in Gujranwala, 25 in Islamabad, 14 in Lahore, 13 in Faisalabad, 10 in Karachi, 6 in Kohat, 3 in Multan, and 1 each in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to the FIA, 51 of the most-wanted smugglers named in the 2023 Red Book have so far been arrested. A special crackdown is underway to apprehend the remaining individuals, with dedicated raiding teams formed for this purpose.

Officials confirmed that the national identity cards and passports of these most-wanted human smugglers have been blacklisted, while red notices have been issued for those who have fled abroad.

Special Anti-Human Smuggling Cell teams have been formed across the country to carry out a crackdown, while red notices have also been issued for the arrest of those hiding abroad.

"This significant endeavour has been orchestrated by the FIA. The Anti-Human Smuggling Directorate, stationed at FIA HQ, dedicated substantial efforts to amass data from various Anti-Human Trafficking Circles within the FIA, meticulously presenting it in book form, it said.

It said over the years, the federal government, in conjunction with provincial governments, has taken a series of measures to combat the pervasive issue of migrant smuggling and trafficking in persons.

These endeavors encompass a five-year National Action Plan, the establishment of the Prevention of Smuggling of Migrant Act 2018 and the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act 2018, along with the formulation of associated regulations.

The activation of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Committees at the national, provincial, and district levels, alongside the constitution of an Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), has transpired to bolster prosecution, safeguard victims, and foster cooperation.

It said the FIA in collaboration with international partners and civil society organizations has embarked on a robust programme aimed at enhancing the capacity-building of law enforcement agencies and pertinent departments.

"This initiative encompasses initiating dialogues and spearheading public awareness campaigns. The establishment of the Data Collection and Analysis Wing, as well as a dedicated Research Unit within the FIA's Anti-Human Smuggling (AHS) Directorate, demonstrates their commitment," it added.