Over 230 foreigners land in jail

Detainees face alleged visa violations, objectionable online activities

RAWALPINDI:

A total of 231 foreign nationals, out of 372, detained during successive raids by the FIA Islamabad Zone's Anti-Human Trafficking Cell and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) at Sparco Plaza in Gulberg Greens have been transferred to various jails in the Rawalpindi Division over alleged violations of visa conditions and involvement in objectionable activities at call and digital centres.

Of the 231 foreigners, 205 have been shifted to Adiala Central Jail, Rawalpindi, while 26 have been transferred to Attock District Jail. The remaining detainees will be relocated in phases.

Authorities are consulting the relevant departments over the deportation of foreign nationals allegedly involved in activities beyond the scope of their authorised visa categories. Meanwhile, cases involving foreigners accused of skimming and producing or distributing obscene videos will be pursued through the courts.

The joint operation by the FIA and NCCIA remains under way.

FIA Islamabad Zone Director Shehzad Nadeem Bukhari received intelligence several days ago regarding the presence of a large number of foreign nationals at Sparco Plaza in Gulberg Greens and other locations.

The intelligence indicated that some of the foreigners were allegedly operating call centres and engaging in other activities contrary to the purposes for which they had entered Pakistan.

Following verification of the information, the FIA Anti-Human Trafficking and Trafficking Circle conducted a raid and launched an investigation.

The investigation revealed that 258 foreign nationals, had entered Pakistan on different categories of visas, including visit, tourist and business visas.

FIA officials checked their records through the Integrated Border Management System (IBMS) and confirmed that the individuals held visit, tourist or business visas. However, they were allegedly found at Sparco Plaza in large call-centre-style setups and were accused of conducting business and commercial activities in violation of the conditions attached to their visas.

Officials determined that the activities allegedly being carried out by the foreigners did not correspond with the declared purposes of their visas. Legal proceedings were therefore initiated over the alleged unauthorised business and commercial activities, and cases were registered against all 258 foreigners under Section 14 of the Foreigners Act.

The FIA also prepared a list containing the names, nationalities, visa categories and passport numbers of the 258 foreigners. The roles of other individuals allegedly involved in the matter are being determined as part of the ongoing investigation.

Following the FIA operation, the NCCIA Islamabad also raided Sparco Plaza and arrested 114 foreign nationals, including 111 Chinese and three Vietnamese citizens, over their alleged involvement in online obscene activities targeting members of the public.

Cases were registered under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and other relevant provisions.

According to the first information report (FIR), the suspects were allegedly involved in luring foreign nationals into online sexual conversations and video chats and using online material for financial and criminal purposes.