GUJRAT/TOBA TEK SINGH : The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Gujranwala circle has arrested a human smuggler involved in sending a local to Morocco.

A senior FIA official said suspect Muhammad Ansar of Towerwala Gala, near Ferozewala bridge, Gujranwala, and his accomplices were involved in sending Amir Ali to Mauritania and extorted a sum of Rs5.3 million from him. Ali survived the Moroccan boat tragedy.

The FIA has so far lodged at least five cases in connection with the boat tragedy, whereas two human traffickers, including a woman, have been arrested.

Abdul Qadir Qamar, director of the FIA’s Gujranwala zone, said the crackdown on the human trafficking networks is underway in the entire region.

Faisalabad FIA arrested three persons involved in human trafficking from Sahiwal and Faisalabad.

An official said accused Asif, Afzaal and Husnain had received Rs8.9m for sending two men to Italy by illegal ways. He said they had contacts with international human smugglers who were used to smuggle people by boats from Libya.

Published in Dawn, January 21st, 2025