Hawala-hundi network operating in five countries busted

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Gujranwala Zone has arrested an alleged ringleader of an international network involved in hawala-hundi and human trafficking.

FIA Gujranwala Director Muhammad Bin Ashraf said the agency arrested suspect Asif Ali at Lahore airport upon his arrival in Pakistan after receiving information from its liaison office in Greece.

He said the liaison office had shared the suspect's data with the FIA, following which the names of suspected network members were placed on the stop list. Asif Ali was arrested as soon as he arrived at Lahore airport, he added.

According to the FIA, a case has been registered against a 10-member international group allegedly operating a large-scale hawala-hundi and human trafficking network from five countries.

The agency said the group had established stations in Italy, Germany, Japan, Greece and Türkiye.