Human trafficking gang busted in Lahore

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Lahore Zone has arrested five human traffickers, including a key suspect involved in the 2023 Greece boat tragedy, during major operations conducted in Lahore and Sheikhupura.

According to the FIA spokesperson, the arrested men include Sibtain Abbas, Bilal Ahmad, Waseem Azam, Muhammad Riaz, and Muhammad Aamir Farooq. The FIA apprehended Sibtain Abbas for allegedly taking Rs 1.7 million from a citizen by promising an Italian work visa. He tried to send the victim to Italy via Libya, but the boat carrying the victim sank in Greek waters. The victim is still missing.

Another suspect, Bilal Ahmad, reportedly received Rs 630,000 from a citizen for a Qatar work visa. After failing to provide the visa, he went into hiding. During the raid, authorities recovered 13 Pakistani passports from his possession. Three more suspects — Waseem Azam, Muhammad Riaz, and Muhammad Aamir Farooq — were running a fake consultancy firm under the name Gulf Medical Consultants. The FIA found 11 Pakistani passports, six mobile phones, and original medical reports and documents during the operation.

The suspects were involved in cheating innocent people by making false promises of work visas to various countries. They used fake job offers and travel plans to trap their victims and collect large sums of money. The FIA has launched investigations into the case and is continuing efforts to track other members of the human trafficking network. Authorities have urged citizens to remain cautious and avoid falling into such scams that risk both their money and lives.