RAHIM YAR KHAN: The Federal Investigation Agency on Friday arrested two suspects allegedly involved in human trafficking.

Reports said suspects Afzal and Ishfaq were operating an illegal travel and tour business, luring people with promises of sending them abroad.

The suspects reportedly acted under the supervision of Yasir, the mastermind of the network, who is affiliated with an international human smuggling gang.

A complaint was filed alleging that Afzal and Ishfaq had sent a young man to Kyrgyzstan after charging him Rs3.25 million. Upon his arrival, the suspects held him hostage and demanded a hefty ransom for his release.

Following an investigation, FIA officials, in collaboration with the Rahim Yar Khan police, raided a location in the area, leading to the arrest of Afzal and Ishfaq. During the raid, officials recovered numerous passports, identity cards, visas, and tickets for Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Libya.

An FIA official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the case was initially investigated based on the victim’s complaint. After completing the inquiry, a raid was conducted with the assistance of local police.

The official said Ishfaq was arrested, the remaining suspects involved in the case are still at large but will be arrested soon. The investigation also revealed that the suspects tortured the victim in Kyrgyzstan to pressure his family for ransom.

Ishfaq is reportedly the brother of a doctor and a lawyer. The authorities have blocked the suspects’ bank accounts and confiscated their passports and other documents. A first information report (FIR) has also been registered against them, the official added.

Published in Dawn, December 29th, 2024