Islamabad: In a significant breakthrough, the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) anti-human smuggling cell has apprehended four alleged human smugglers in Islamabad, unveiling a network involved in facilitating illegal migration to Europe, primarily through Turkey and Iran.
The operation led to the arrest of the suspected ringleader, Faisal Lateef, hailing from the E-11 area, and three other accomplices, identified as Sudais Ali, Osama Khalid, and Zaid Abbas, all apprehended from the F-8 Sector of Islamabad.
FIA officials have revealed that these individuals were part of an intricate web of human smugglers, responsible for orchestrating the illegal transportation of citizens to Europe via perilous routes. The arrests come as a significant blow to the criminal network, marking a victory in the battle against human smuggling.
During the operation, authorities also uncovered a cache of evidence, including over 12 passports and several incriminating stamps, providing crucial insights into the modus operandi of the smuggling ring.
Earlier, the FIA had achieved a major breakthrough by apprehending the alleged ringleader of another human trafficking gang in Gujrat. Muhammad Saleem Sunyara, the arrested suspect, was linked to a tragic Greece boat incident that claimed numerous lives, including those of Pakistanis. Sunyara’s illicit activities involved facilitating the unlawful migration of Pakistanis abroad, primarily by funneling money through Hundi and Hawala channels.
It’s worth noting that a devastating incident involving an Italy-bound fishing trawler had earlier made headlines, as it capsized off the coast of Greece with approximately 800 passengers on board, including a substantial number of Pakistanis. Regrettably, only a small fraction of individuals survived the catastrophe, and hopes of finding more survivors dwindled rapidly.
The recent crackdown on human smuggling networks by the FIA underscores the government’s commitment to curbing illegal migration and protecting the lives of its citizens from perilous journeys. As investigations progress, authorities are determined to dismantle such networks and bring those responsible to justice.
