RAWALPINDI:
The Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) immigration and anti-human trafficking cells on Sunday claimed to have arrested four suspects in two separate operations for attempting to travel abroad by illegal means, including the use of forged documents, fake residence cards and other migrant smuggling channels.
Investigations have been launched against the four individuals.
According to officials, two members of an organized visa fraud and immigrant smuggling network were detained following identification by the US Embassy.
Read: KP govt increases compensation for Bajaur homes damaged in security operation
FIA immigration officers at Islamabad International Airport offloaded and detained two departing passengers, Hasnain Azhar and Muhammad Atif, for attempting to travel abroad using fraudulent documentation.
Azhar allegedly attempted to enter Portugal with a fake Portuguese resident card, while Atif was allegedly in contact with agents for illegal entry into Europe.
Both men have been transferred to the FIA Anti-Human Trafficking Circle in Islamabad for further action and identification of their agents, where investigations are continuing.
Separately, the FIA Anti-Human Trafficking Circle arrested two more suspects, Tahir Shehbaz and Rab Nawaz, from Islamabad for their alleged role in a visa fraud and migrant smuggling racket.
The suspects are accused of charging citizens large sums of money and attempting to send at least 12 people to the United States using forged documents.
Authorities said the arrests were made following information provided by the U.S. Embassy. Further investigations have been launched and raids are underway to arrest two more accomplices.
