January 3, 2006	Tuesday	Zilhaj 2, 1426

KARACHI, Jan 2: An alleged human trafficker Mohammad Shakeel was admitted to bail against a solvent surety of Rs0.3 million on Monday by Chief Justice of Sindh High Court, Justice Sabihuddin Ahmed.

The accused was arrested on Oct 19 under Section 22 of the Immigration Act for allegedly sending Pakistani nationals to South Africa via Mozzambique and Malawi.

According to FIA, Pakistan High Commission in South Africa received a complaint against human trafficking at which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was informed. The FIA authorities referred the case to FIA Karachi. After investigations, it was found that the accused and his brother Bilal were purchasing tickets for local people from Danish travels. The visa was endorsed by one Khalid Tawab, Honorary Counsel General for South Africa, for single visit. The travellers used to travel via Malawi and then to South Africa.

Mehmood A Qureshi appearing for the applicant maintained that accused was neither travel agent, nor obtained any money from the intending visitors and thus Section 22 of Immigration Act was not attracted.—APP