FIA arrests key member of international human trafficking network

The accused's name was also listed in the FIA’s Red Book as most wanted.

LAHORE: The Punjab chapter of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Thursday arrested Liaqat Ali, an important member of international human trafficking network, who was also listed in the FIA’s Red Book as most wanted, sources familiar with the matter revealed.

Ali, a resident of district Gujrat, had managed to escape an earlier FIA raid in 2010 when many of his accomplices were arrested. Ali and his associates, with help of some other people, had attacked the FIA raiding party and escaped from the scene, FIA officials said.

Due to the nature of the allegations against him, Ali’s name was also included in the Exit Control List (ECL), sources said.

FIA record further revealed that the accused was wanted by the FIA Rawalpindi and Gujranwala Anti Human Trafficking Circles (AHTC).

The alleged human trafficker had extorted millions from a number of people on the pretext of sending them abroad particularly to European countries via Pak-Iran-Turkey-Greece, the FIA officials said.

Gujranwala FIA deputy director Gul Sanobar Khan while talking to The Express Tribune confirmed Ali’s arrest.

“Ali has been arrested by the FIA AHTC Gujranwala officials, after close surveillance for a long time,” Khan said.