FIA probes Pakistan karate team over alleged human trafficking in Moscow

If any individual from the team remains in Russia, attempts to escape to Europe, legal action will be taken

PESHAWAR:

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Peshawar Zone’s Anti-Human Trafficking Circle has received complaints regarding the recent Moscow, Russia, tour of the Pakistan Kyokushin Karate team, suggesting the involvement of immigrants and attempts to illegally flee from Russia to Europe.

The National Cup Karate Tournament, held in Moscow from February 28 to March 2, is alleged to have been used as a cover for human smuggling.

FIA Peshawar Zone’s Anti-Human Trafficking Circle Deputy Director Rana Shahid Habib told media representatives that, according to the complaint, all officials and members of the Pakistan Kyokushin Karate team who participated in the Moscow event will undergo a thorough investigation. A complete list of participants will be verified. If any individual remains in Russia and attempts to escape to Europe, strict legal action will be taken against them.

He added that FIA is closely monitoring human trafficking under the guise of sports across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

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According to reliable sources, several officials and agents of official and unofficial sports federations and associations have been using international events for human trafficking. They will be investigated, and if concrete evidence is found, strict legal action and formal cases will be filed against them.

All associations and federations will be required to ensure that participation in international competitions is transparent and that a No Objection Certificate (NOC) is obtained from the Pakistan Sports Board. This will prevent fake players from joining teams and disappearing abroad, which damages Pakistan’s reputation.

Deputy Director Rana Shahid Habib also stated that officials from the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Directorate General Sports, involved in human trafficking via sports, will also be investigated.

According to sources and media reports, in the past three to four years, other sports, including football, futsal, and squash, have also allegedly been used for human trafficking purposes.