GUJRAT: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Sunday claimed to have arrested eight alleged human traffickers, including a proclaimed offender, during the ongoing crackdown in Gujranwala region.

An FIA official says that a Gujranwala team had arrested a fugitive, M Arif Hussain of Ziaul Haq Colony, Malik Anwar Road, in Shiekhupura district in case number 111/12 registered under section 17/22 of the Emigration Ordinance (EO) 1997.

The accused extorted Rs175,000 from the complainant on the pretext of sending his cousin abroad.

Another accused, Imtiaz Ali of Chahar Bajwa village in Pasrur, Sialkot district, has been arrested in case number 142/25 under section 17/22 of EO 1979 by the FIA, Gujranwala. He allegedly extorted Rs800,000 on the pretext of sending the complainant to Italy for employment. Later, the accused neither send him to Italy, nor returned the amount.

Similarly, an accused, Ibrar Ali of Gharmala, Jhelum has been arrested in case number 25 under section 22 of EO 1979, and 3/6 PSMA by FIA Gujrat for extorting Rs20 million from a man on the pretext for sending the six persons to Spain for employment. Later, the accused sent them to Mauritania, from where he tried to send them to Spain via boat. However, they refused to go to Spain by boat and returned to Pakistan.

Another accused, Muhammad Asghar of Khori Alam noon, Kharian, has been arrested in cases numbers 370/24, 371/24, 372/24, 373/24, 374/24, 375/24 under sections 17/22 EO 1979 and 3/6 PSMA 2018.

The accused allegedly extorted Rs2.6 million from each intending emigrant for sending them to Italy for employment. Later, the accused sent them to Libya where they were detained in a safe house. Thy were offered to travel to Italy by a ship, but they refused and returned to Pakistan.

Another suspect, Muhammad Ayan Butt of Gala Ghulam Hussain Gujjar Wala, Lari Adda, Daska Sialkot, has been arrested in case number 568/24 by FIA Gujranwala. He allegedly extorted Rs6 million from a man, in connivance with his accomplice, on the pretext of sending the complainant’s son to UK on spouse visa, but did not send him.

The FIA’s Gujranwal and Gujrat circles also arrested Zakaullah of Narowal and a proclaimed offender Asif Raza of Daska, Sialkot, for their alleged involvement in human trafficking.

Published in Dawn, March 3rd, 2025