Summary
- GUJRAT: The Federal Investigation Agency arrested a proclaimed human smuggler in Gujrat on Sunday in connection with a case involving the death of a Pakistani national who was allegedly sent abroad through an illegal route after being promised legal migration to Turkiye.
- The agency said the accused has now also been formally arrested in eight additional human smuggling cases being investigated by the FIA, indicating his alleged involvement in an organised network engaged in illegal migration.
- The agency has intensified its crackdown on organised human smuggling groups following a series of incidents involving Pakistanis who lost their lives or went missing while attempting to reach foreign countries through irregular routes.
GUJRAT: The Federal Investigation Agency arrested a proclaimed human smuggler in Gujrat on Sunday in connection with a case involving the death of a Pakistani national who was allegedly sent abroad through an illegal route after being promised legal migration to Turkiye.
According to an FIA spokesperson, the arrest was made by the FIA Gujrat Circle following a complaint filed by the victim’s family. The suspect, identified as Zafran Abbas, had been declared a proclaimed offender and was wanted in a human smuggling case registered by the agency.
Officials said the accused allegedly received Rs100,000 from the victim after assuring him that he would be sent legally to Türkiye. Instead, the victim was allegedly trafficked through Iran using an illegal route operated by human smugglers.
The FIA said contact with the victim was lost after February 12, 2020. His family remained unaware of his whereabouts until the Pakistani Embassy in Ankara later confirmed his death.
During the investigation, the victim’s heirs approached the FIA, requesting legal action against those responsible for facilitating the illegal journey. Acting on the complaint, investigators traced the suspect and arrested him during an operation conducted by the Gujrat Circle.
The agency said the accused has now also been formally arrested in eight additional human smuggling cases being investigated by the FIA, indicating his alleged involvement in an organised network engaged in illegal migration.
According to officials, the suspect was arrested in FIR No. 07/2021 registered under Sections 17 and 22 of the Immigration Ordinance, 1979, read with Sections 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants Act, 2018.
FIA officials said further investigation is under way to determine the full extent of the suspect’s alleged activities and to identify any accomplices involved in the network. They said more arrests could not be ruled out as the investigation progresses.
The agency has intensified its crackdown on organised human smuggling groups following a series of incidents involving Pakistanis who lost their lives or went missing while attempting to reach foreign countries through irregular routes.
The FIA urged citizens to avoid illegal migration channels and deal only with licensed overseas employment promoters when seeking jobs abroad. Officials warned that human smugglers often lure people with false promises of legal travel before sending them through dangerous and unlawful routes, putting their lives at serious risk.
The accused remains in FIA custody, while further legal proceedings are continuing.
