LAHORE: The Multan Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Thursday foiled an attempt to use an Umrah visa as a cover for illegal migration to Europe through Libya.

According to an FIA spokesperson, immigration officials at the Multan International Airport intercepted a passenger, Jamshed Ali of Jhang, during the clearance process for Flight FZ-340 bound for Dubai and onward to Saudi Arabia.

The passenger reportedly raised suspicion by giving contradictory statements regarding the purpose of his travel.

During questioning, the officials found that he was allegedly being facilitated by a human-smuggling network that planned to move him from Saudi Arabia to Libya and then onwards to Europe through illegal sea routes.

The FIA said the network had demanded a substantial amount of money from the passenger for arranging the journey.

Officials examined the passenger’s mobile phone and allegedly recovered communications with agents based in South Africa and Libya, financial transaction records and a suspicious employment offer letter issued from Libya.

The passenger was later handed over to the FIA Anti-Human Trafficking Circle, Multan, for investigation.

Published in Dawn, June 26th, 2026