Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Tuesday confirmed that it has arrested two human traffickers in Gwadar, Balochistan, who were trying to smuggle Pakistani nationals to Iran through illegal means. The problem of human smuggling in Pakistan to other countries is a major issue of concern as many vulnerable people risk their life in hazardous boat and overland journeys in hope of securing better economic status or seeking further journeys to the Middle East and Europe. Gwadar and other regions of Balochistan areas tend to be transit hubs where traffickers take advantage of migrants and ask high costs on such dangerous travel.
As the FIA stated, operations of Criminal Circle Gwadar were undertaken by the agency which led to the arrest of suspects of various regions of the district. The arrested traffickers reportedly charged each victim a fee of Rs10,000. The portrayal by the victims aided authorities to obtain arrests, and there is an official inquiry underway.
In an earlier operation last week, FIA Balochistan has apprehended five more traffickers in Taftan and Loralai who have facilitated travel outside the country using fraudulent papers, have sent persons to Iran and Turkiye, and have extorted crores of rupees. Three of those suspects were on lists of wanted people released by the Pakistani embassies in different countries, having smuggled many people abroad.
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The FIA is making cumulative efforts of stern measures against human traffickers using illegal channels to exploit citizens, escalating security and awareness in vulnerable areas.
