Over 370 foreigners swept up in capital raids

More than 250 booked under Foreigners Act; 114 held over online immoral activities

RAWALPINDI:

The Anti-Human Trafficking Cell of the FIA Islamabad Zone raided Sparco Plaza in Gulberg Greens, Islamabad, and found 258 foreign nationals allegedly involved in activities contrary to their authorised visas, including running call centres.

Cases were registered against all of them under Section 14 of the Foreigners Act.

Soon after the FIA raid, the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) also raided an alleged call centre and an illegal digital centre operating in the same plaza. It arrested 114 foreign nationals, including 111 Chinese and three Vietnamese, for allegedly gaining financial benefits through online immoral activities.

Cases were registered against them under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) and other provisions.

A total of 372 foreign nationals were arrested in the raids conducted by the two agencies. Due to the large number of foreigners, the plaza was also declared a sub-jail, officials said.

According to officials, FIA Islamabad Zone Director Shehzad Nadim Bukhari received information from confidential sources about the presence of a large number of foreigners at Sparco Plaza in Gulberg Greens and other locations, and their alleged involvement in running call centres and other activities contrary to the purposes for which they had obtained visas to enter Pakistan.

After necessary verification, the FIA Anti-Human Trafficking and Trafficking Circle raided the plaza and conducted an inquiry. It was revealed that all 258 foreigners, including nationals of Vietnam, Indonesia and China, had entered Pakistan on different visa categories, including visit, tourist and business visas.

The FIA officials checked their records through the Integrated Border Management System (IBMS) and confirmed that all of them held visit, tourist or business visas. However, the foreigners were found at Sparco Plaza in large call centre-like setups, where they were allegedly engaged in business and commercial activities contrary to their visa conditions.

It was found that their activities did not correspond with the stated purpose of their visas. Legal proceedings were therefore initiated over the alleged illegal business and commercial activities, and cases were registered against all the foreigners under Section 14 of the Foreigners Act.

The FIA also prepared a list containing the names, nationalities, visa categories and passport numbers of all 258 foreigners. According to the FIR, the role of other individuals involved in the matter would be determined during the investigation.

The investigation of the case has been assigned to Inspector Mohammad Abdullah Kiyani. Sources said that following the arrest of such a large number of foreigners, the plaza had also been declared a sub-jail.