FIA apprehends 320 Pakistani individuals exploiting KSA Umrah visas for begging.
The FIA has blacklisted the passports of all those implicated and issued a five-year travel ban on them.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has apprehended 324 beggars, comprising 119 women, along with two human traffickers at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, as part of a concerted initiative to combat human trafficking and rehabilitate Pakistan’s international reputation.
In 2024, the FIA’s Human Trafficking Circle Karachi apprehended 204 individuals attempting to depart for begging purposes at departure gates. Furthermore, 269 persons were apprehended upon their arrival at the airport following deportation for soliciting abroad.
“The exploitation of Umrah visas has not only damaged the nation’s reputation but also underscores an expanding human trafficking network,” stated Rabia Qureshi, Deputy Director of the FIA.
Passports Revoked, Travel Restrictions Enforced
The FIA has prohibited the passports of all those implicated and instituted a five-year travel restriction on them. The agency has additionally implemented measures to suspend the national identity cards and bank accounts of those deemed culpable.
“Thus far, only two of the 26 suspected agents have been apprehended; however, efforts to locate and prosecute the entire network are ongoing,” stated Bahawal Osto, Deputy Director of Immigration.
The FIA underscored that this initiative seeks to not only curtail illicit operations but also to safeguard susceptible individuals from exploitation by trafficking syndicates masquerading as religious tourism.
