GUJRAT: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Tuesday detained at least two passengers at the Sialkot International Airport after they were deported from South Africa.

The passenger, Rai Mustansar, son of Muhammad Yaqub, a resident of Gujranwala, was deported from South Africa over an invalid visa.

During scrutiny at the Sialkot airport, it was found that the passenger had departed for Saudi Arabia on the Umrah visa from Faisalabad airport on Dec 13, 2024.

Later, after offering Umrah, he left for South Africa on Dec 28. However, on reaching South Africa, immigration deported him for an invalid visa.

Another passenger, Muhammad Sheraz, son of Muhammad Sher, resident of Khushab, was deported from South Africa for having a tampered passport. On scrutiny, it was found that said passenger was deported from South Africa twice in the last couple of months whereas last time he had departed from Sialkot Airport three days ago.

After reaching at transit Qatar, he removed the stamp from page no 7. Resultantly, South African Immigration deported him because of a tampered passport.

Both the passengers were handed over to anti-human trafficking cell Gujranwala for further action.

Published in Dawn, January 1st, 2025