Pakistan bars 8 alleged human traffickers from flying abroad

At least eight Punjab-based alleged human traffickers have been barred by Pakistani authorities from flying abroad.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Gujranwala Zone has lodged some four cases against eight human traffickers based in Gujrat, Sialkot and Gujranwala districts.

The names of at least eight human traffickers who allegedly made travel arrangements for the recent boat tragedy victims have already been included in the stop list to prevent them from travelling abroad, officials said.

Among the suspects arrested so far is a woman, the mother of Fahad alias Fahdi Gujjar of Jaura Karnana, who is allegedly the ring leader of the traffickers.

Officials said that a car belonging to Gujjar was also confiscated during a raid at his house. He had allegedly sent at least 28 people from his area to Spain, charging them Rs 4m to 4.5m each.

The FIA has also identified at least three bank accounts allegedly belonging to Gujjar and his other accomplices. The process to seize these accounts and Gujjar’s other assets has been initiated.

Shaukat Ali shows a picture of his son Atif Shahzad, one of the victims of a migrant boat that capsized in West Africa’s Atlantic coastline, on his cell phone at his home, in Lalamusa district in Pakistan. AP

The FIA Gujranwala and Gujrat circles have also approached the families of survivors to seek details about human traffickers.

The FIA has pinned its hopes on the detailed report by the high-ranking government team, which has gone to Morocco to probe the incident on the directives of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

The team, headed by Additional Secretary Interior Salman Chaudhary, included Additional DG FIA (North) Muneer Maarth and two officials of the Foreign Office and Intelligence Bureau.

The premier has also sought a report on the incident and ordered strict action against the human traffickers.

A record 10,457 migrants, or 30 people a day, died trying to reach Spain in 2024, most while attempting to cross the Atlantic route from West African countries such as Mauritania and Senegal to the Canary Islands, according to Walking Borders.

Last month, more than 80 Pakistanis reportedly died in a boat, which capsized near Greece.

Following the tragedy, the FIA booked and dismissed more than 30 of its officers for allegedly colluding with human smugglers in illegally sending Pakistanis abroad.