FIA crackdown pushes human smugglers into central Punjab

26 raids in eight days; 42 suspects arrested, 107 passports recovered

FAISALABAD:

Following a crackdown on human smuggling networks in the Potohar region, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has revealed that traffickers have shifted their operations towards central Punjab districts in a bid to exploit vulnerable youth seeking overseas employment.

Officials said that after intensified action along the GT Road belt, including Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Chakwal and Jhelum, smugglers have redirected their focus to the agriculturally prosperous yet migration-prone districts of Sargodha, Hafizabad, Chiniot, Jhang, Faisalabad and Toba Tek Singh.

The disclosure was made during a media briefing by FIA authorities, who noted a growing trend of youth migration from central Punjab divisions, driven by unemployment and the lure of foreign jobs.

Muhammad Ajmal, Station House Officer of the FIA Composite Circle, said repeated incidents of migrant boats sinking across various parts of the world had exposed the desperation of young job seekers willing to travel abroad at any cost.

He said the government of Pakistan had adopted multi-dimensional and multi-sectoral strategies to curb human smuggling and protect citizens.

Ajmal said monitoring teams had been discreetly deployed at so-called educational exhibitions where young people are allegedly lured under the guise of student visas and overseas consultancy.

He warned that unregistered consultancy firms operating without approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan were under strict surveillance.

FIA Faisalabad Zone Director Malik Sikandar Hayat said FIA teams conducted 26 raids over eight days, arresting 42 suspects and registering 24 cases, while two inquiries remain under investigation.

He said authorities recovered 2,100 dirhams, 5,500 Saudi riyals, Rs1.3 million rupees in cash, illegal objectionable material and 107 passports from the arrested suspects.