GUJRAT: The Federal Investigation Agency, Gujranwala, recovered at least 505 passports and arrested four human traffickers involved in operating an illegal recruitment company in Hafizabad on Tuesday.

A senior FIA official told Dawn that Al Aziz Middle East Trade Test Center, located at Jinnah Chowk near DPO Office, Hafizabad, had been involved in illegal activities.

The center, he said, was being operated without obtaining any licence or permission from the federal government as well as fraudulently inducing innocent persons by showing them false promises of overseas employment in Gulf and European countries.

The suspects were extorting large sums of money from the clients.

On the orders of Director FIA Gujranwala zone Muhammad Bin Ashraf, a team conducted a raid at the said location in Hafizabad and during search of the premises a total of 505 passports were recovered from various tables and drawers as the suspects could not provide any lawful justification for possession of the passports or documents.

A senior official said all recovered items were taken into FIA custody through proper seizure memo and during preliminary interrogation, the suspects disclosed that they were receiving passports and money from emigrants for obtaining/processing employment visas.

They have committed offences punishable under sections 17/22 of Emigration Ordinance, 1979 Section 6 of Passport Act, 1974. Accordingly, a criminal case has been registered against the suspects.

The arrested suspects include Haji Munawar Hussain, Muhammad Nawaz, Umer Khalid and Fiyyaz Zulfiqar whereas a case number 243/26 has been lodged under sections 17/22 EO 1979 and 6 PA 1974 with Gujranwala FIA circle.

Published in Dawn, April 15th, 2026