GUJRAT: In a crackdown on human smugglers and agents, the Federal Investigation Agency, Gujranwala Zone, claimed on Saturday to have arrested a human trafficker at Daska, Sialkot district.

A spokesman for FIA said human smuggler Muhammad Zohaib of Jesarwala, Daska tehsil, was arrested in case number 94/2025, U/S 17/22 E.O 1979 r/w 3/6 PSMA 2018. The suspect along with his accomplice had extorted an amount of Rs1.6 million from the deportee for sending him to Spain for employment.

The deportee reached Senegal via Dubai and Kenya. Then the deportee was forced to board the boat to Spain but he refused to board the boat and returned to Pakistan. The suspects failed to send the deportee to Spain legally and the case was registered against them after the arrival of the deportee back to Pakistan.

Meanwhile, the court of special judge central Gujrat convicted at least three human traffickers in as many cases on Saturday.

In case number 31/25 registered at FIA Gujrat circle, suspect Faisal Ilyas was convicted u/s 18 E.O and punished with a fine of Rs25,000 by the court.

Similarly in case number 30/25 registered at FIA Gujrat circle, suspect Imran Ali was convicted u/s 18 E.O and punished with a fine of Rs25,000.

In yet another case number 30/25 registered at FIA Gujrat circle, Sagheer Ahmed was convicted by the court and punished with a fine of Rs40,000. PASSENGERS: The FIA immigration authorities detained two passengers at Sialkot International Airport.

One passenger was deported from Oman and the other was wanted to Lalamusa police of Gujrat district in connection with a case lodged against him.

Official sources said during immigration clearance of flight EK-620, a passenger namely Mansar Abbas of Jhelum having passport no RE1011851 was found deported under checksheet from South Africa due to “fraudulent TRP stamp.”

On being interrogated by the immigration officials, the passenger said he obtained South Africa TRP from an agent Rana Babar of Mandi Bahauddin currently residing in South Africa for 10,000 Rand (South African currency).

He was sent to anti-human trafficking cell (AHTC) of FIA Gujrat circle.

During immigration clearance of flight OV-505, passenger namely Muhammad Nosherwan Sulman of Jhelum arrived from Oman and presented his passport PN0157143 for immigration. His particulars got hit in the immigration system with remarks “case FIR No. 692/2024 u/s 375-A PPC dated 22-12-2024 with Saddar Lala Musa police station of Gujrat.” He was later handed over to Gujrat police.

Published in Dawn, February 9th, 2025