Islamabad, 17 Apr 2025: In a major development targeting illegal travel and exploitation, authorities have launched a sweeping operation against Fake Umrah Pilgrims and those involved in Begging Abroad, aiming to dismantle human trafficking rings exploiting religious routes and visa loopholes.
Over 300 Apprehended in FIA Operation
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), in a large-scale enforcement action at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport, has detained 324 individuals, including 119 women, suspected of traveling with the intention of engaging in organized begging in foreign countries.
This crackdown is part of the FIA’s intensified campaign to curb human trafficking and unlawful migration.
READ MORE:
Saudi Arabia Unveils Cooling Projects for Hajj Pilgrims
The arrests include two confirmed human smugglers, who were allegedly facilitating the illegal travel of vulnerable individuals under false pretenses.
The FIA’s Anti-Human Trafficking Cell reported that out of the total apprehensions, 204 individuals were intercepted at the airport’s departure lounges in 2024, while attempting to leave the country specifically for Begging Abroad.
An additional 269 people were taken into custody after being deported back to Pakistan for the same activity.
Misuse of Religious Visas Raises Alarm
The FIA noted a disturbing trend where many of the detainees had used Umrah visas not for religious pilgrimage, but to unlawfully enter other nations and engage in begging networks.
These Fake Umrah Pilgrims not only violate immigration laws but also tarnish Pakistan’s international standing, especially in countries that offer relaxed entry for religious visits.
Authorities have responded decisively by blacklisting passports of the involved individuals, imposing five-year travel bans, and freezing their national ID cards and bank accounts to prevent further abuse.
These measures are meant to send a strong message and act as a deterrent for those attempting similar actions.
Human Smuggling Network Still Under Watch
So far, only two of the 26 suspected human agents believed to be orchestrating this illegal operation have been captured.
The FIA has confirmed that investigations are still underway to apprehend the remaining culprits and dismantle the broader network facilitating this unlawful activity.
The agency emphasized that this operation is not solely about preventing illegal exits but also about shielding at-risk individuals from exploitation masked as legitimate travel.
READ MORE:
67,000 Pakistani Pilgrims at Risk of Missing Hajj 2025
Many of those targeted by trafficking rings are unaware of the legal and personal risks they face once abroad.
FIA’s Message: Zero Tolerance for Exploitation
By cracking down on Fake Umrah Pilgrims and curbing the increasing trend of Begging Abroad, the FIA aims to protect both Pakistan’s international image and the dignity of its citizens.
The operation underscores the government’s commitment to battling modern slavery and organized exploitation at all levels.
