Human trafficking cases surge in 2023-24

LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Anti-Human Trafficking Cell (AHTC) in Lahore have processed around 8,000 complaints related to visa fraud, human trafficking, and embassy referrals over the past year and nine months, The News has learned.

According to official data obtained by The News, the AHTC has dealt with a surge of cases in 2023 and 2024. In 2023, the AHTC received 3,835 complaints, of which 3,032 were resolved after verification. A total of 2,530 inquiries were initiated and 2,206 were disposed of. That year also saw 1,319 cases registered with 901 were settled.

In 2024, the number of complaints increased slightly to 3,907, with 3,685 resolved after verification. AHTC Lahore launched 2,173 inquiries and resolved 1,656. A total of 903 cases were registered in 2024, with 598 of those cases being closed.

AHTC Lahore’s high-profile operations led to the arrest of six of the most wanted human traffickers in 2023, along with 52 proclaimed offenders, nine absconders, and 275 other individuals involved in trafficking. In 2024, the AHTC apprehended two more most-wanted traffickers, 86 proclaimed offenders, 12 absconders, and 291 other suspects.

Two significant arrests include Zulqarnain Asad, who is accused of extorting over Rs227 million from aspiring immigrants, and Saqib Raza Bukhari, who allegedly defrauded victims of over Rs38 million. AHTC registered 334 cases against Zulqarnain and 89 against Saqib.

The AHTC investigation into the Greece boat tragedy, which claimed the lives of several migrants, resulted in 11 cases being registered and the arrest of seven key agents involved. Additionally, authorities recovered 1,517 passports and several counterfeit Iranian and Iraqi embassy stamps during the operation.

AHTC Lahore also apprehended eight out of 20 most-wanted human traffickers listed in FIA’s Red Book 2023. FIA officials stated that AHTC Lahore’s jurisdiction covered Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur and Nankana Sahib. This extensive crackdown has demonstrated FIA’s commitment to tackling the grave issue of human trafficking and protecting those targeted by international trafficking networks.