ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investi­gation Agency (FIA) has arrested a most-wanted criminal and several other suspects as its crackdown on human smugglers and traffickers continues across the country.

Sources told Dawn that the FIA’s Anti-Human Trafficking Circle Quetta conducted a successful raid as part of its ongoing crackdown on human smugglers and traffickers operating in Balochistan.

During the operation, a notorious human smuggler/trafficker, Raza alias Chacha Musa — who was nominated in an FIR back in 2024 — was arrested from Sariab Road, Quetta. Raza is a most-wanted human smuggler/trafficker, listed in the Tehran and Milan perpetrators lists.

During initial interrogation, it was revealed that the accused has direct links with other most-wanted human smugglers/traffickers reportedly operating from Tehran. A preliminary examination of a mobile phone recovered from his possession revealed WhatsApp communications with other smugglers based in Iran, Jiwani and Mashkel (Baloch­istan), and various parts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“The accused is currently under investigation, and efforts are underway to apprehend other members of the network,” an official said. He added that operations were also underway against individuals involved in hundi business and illegal currency trade across the country.

Separately, the FIA arrested a suspect at the Taftan border for attempting to enter Pakistan using a fake passport. According to an FIA spokesperson, a man, identified as Mohammad Raza, tried to enter Pakistan through the Taftan border using a forged passport. He was arrested after the passport was confirmed to be fake.

The suspect has been shifted to the Anti-Human Trafficking Circle, Taftan, where further investigation has been initiated.

Meanwhile, the FIA’s Anti-Corruption Circle Karachi conducted a raid on an office located in Falak Naz Tower near M.A. Jinnah Road, where multiple individuals involved in illegal hawala/hundi business were taken into custody. During the search, Rs2.234 million in cash, ledgers, mobile phones and suspicious deposit slips were recovered, an FIA official said.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused were involved in an organised hawala/hundi network with China. According to initial analysis of the record, at least $4m was illegally transferred to China during the last eight months.

During the operation, accused Ashraf, Abdul Moez, Faisal, Mohammad Ayaz and Mohammad Salman were taken into custody, the FIA spokesperson said.

The FIA, during a raid at Chowk Yadgar, Peshawar, also arrested accused Nasir Khan for his involvement in illegal foreign currency exchange. A total of 215m Iranian rials, Rs2m in Pakistani currency, and some Saudi riyals were recovered from his possession.

Saleem Shahid in Quetta also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2026