LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Multan Zone claimed to have arrested six suspects, including two employees of the Multan Electric Power Company (Mepco), in separate operations against alleged human smuggling, overseas employment fraud and misuse of authority.

The arrests were made by FIA Composite Circle Multan, Crime Circle Dera Ghazi Khan and Circle Bahawalpur between Oct 30 and Nov 6, according to information provided by the agency.

Reports said DG Khan FIA arrested Zahid Ahmad, a resident of Dera Ghazi Khan, on Nov 2 for his alleged involvement in illegally sending people to Europe, particularly Italy, through Libya.

According to the FIA spokesperson, a case was registered on Oct 31 under Sections 3, 6 and 7 of the Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants Act 2018, read with Sections 18(B) and 22 of the Emigration Ordinance 1979.

The investigation began after Hammad Ahmed, also a resident of DGK, was deported from Libya to Pakistan on Oct 29.

The FIA alleged that Zahid, in connivance with an accomplice, Rizwan Ahmed Shamas, a Lahore resident, lured the victim with promises of lucrative employment in Italy and arranged his departure from Pakistan in October 2025.

Instead of facilitating his travel to Italy through legal channels, the suspects allegedly routed him through Nepal to Libya, where he was handed over to foreign agents.

The victim was allegedly subjected to physical torture, illegal confinement and inhumane treatment in Libya, while the agents repeatedly demanded money from his family.

The FIA said the suspects allegedly extorted around Rs8.05 million from the family through cash payments and bank transactions in Pakistan.

In another operation, the Bahawalpur FIA arrested proclaimed offender Naseer Ahmad, a resident of Minchinabad, Bahawalnagar, on Nov 2 in connection with an overseas employment fraud case.

The suspect allegedly received Rs1.133m from a complainant on the promise of arranging an employment visa and a job abroad but failed to fulfil his commitment. A case was registered under Sections 17 and 22 of the Emigration Ordinance 1979.

The Multan Circle also arrested Shabbir Ahmad Pasha, a Lahore resident, in a separate case. He allegedly received Rs600,000 from a complainant for arranging a Romanian work visa but neither fulfilled the promise nor returned the money.

In another case, Muhammad Akram, a resident of Vehari, was arrested on Oct 30 for allegedly receiving Rs300,000 from a complainant on the promise of arranging a Dubai work visa. The FIA said he failed to arrange the visa or return the money.

Meanwhile, the Multan FIA arrested two Mepco officials, SDO of Mian Channu First Subdivision Rao Muhammad Shakir and Line Superintendent-I Aamir Mushtaq, on Nov 2.

A case was registered against them under Sections 420, 467, 468 and 471 of the Pakistan Penal Code and Section 5(2)47 of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The officials are accused of misusing their authority by illegally installing two low-tension electricity poles and issuing meter connections, besides facilitating unauthorised electrification in a housing society.

Further investigation is underway.

Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2026