LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Multan Zone claimed on Thursday to have arrested three suspected human traffickers and as many Pakistani nationals deported from Oman for allegedly travelling abroad through illegal channels.
In Bahawalpur, the FIA Anti-Human Trafficking Circle arrested Muhammad Munawar, a resident of Faisalabad, for allegedly taking Rs1.05 million from complainants on the promise of sending them to Oman on work visas but failing to fulfil his commitment.
The suspect was arrested in connection with FIR No. 121/2026 registered under Section 22-B of the Emigration Ordinance, 1979. The FIA said further investigation was under way.
In a separate case, the FIA Composite Circle Bahawalpur arrested Rashid Ali, a resident of Rahim Yar Khan, for allegedly obtaining Rs580,000 from a complainant in connivance with another suspect on the promise of arranging an employment visa for Saudi Arabia.
The suspect was booked in FIR No. 196/2026 under Section 22-B of the Emigration Ordinance, 1979. The agency said the investigation was continuing.
Meanwhile, the FIA Composite Circle Multan arrested three Pakistanis deported from Oman on charges of illegal emigration.
Munir Ahmad of Dera Ghazi Khan, Imran of Jhang and Shakeel Ahmad of Rajanpur arrived from Oman on Flight No. OV537 and were arrested in FIR No. 451/2026 under Section 17(1) of the Emigration Ordinance, 1979.
According to the FIA, the men produced emergency passports during immigration processing, with “illegal entry” cited as the reason for their deportation. The agency said no record of their lawful departure from Pakistan was found in the Integrated Border Management System (IBMS).
During preliminary questioning, the suspects allegedly disclosed that they had crossed the Pakistan-Iran border illegally and later travelled to Oman by a launch without valid travel documents after paying large sums of money to agents operating in Iran.
The FIA said all three had been arrested and further investigation was in progress.
Published in Dawn, August 28th, 2026
