FIA cracks down on human trafficking

Islamabad: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has ramped up its nationwide campaign against human trafficking networks, unveiling significant progress in its latest report. The crackdown targets traffickers responsible for endangering lives through illegal operations and addresses internal inefficiencies within the agency, a spokesman of FIA said.

Mass arrests and operations against the human smuggling mafia and FIA officials involved in facilitating the mafias. Indicating the achievements, the spokesman said, a total of 185 human traffickers and agents were arrested in the last month. 38 most-wanted traffickers, listed in the FIA's Red Book, have been apprehended, 16 agents involved in the 2024 Greece boat tragedy and 15 masterminds from the 2023 Greece incident were detained and 5 proclaimed offenders linked to trafficking operations have also been captured. Telling details of the internal accountability, the spokesman said, the crackdown led to the arrest of 20 FIA personnel suspected of collusion with traffickers, 38 officials connected to the Greece boat tragedy were dismissed for their roles, poor investigation and prosecution led to 12 deputy and assistant directors being charge-sheeted, with cases forwarded to the Ministry of Interior, 4 zonal directors have been summoned to explain oversight failures and disciplinary measures have been initiated against 30 officers in connection with the 2024 Libya boat tragedy.

About asset seizures and financial crackdowns, the spokesman disclosed that assets worth PKR 450 million belonging to human traffickers were confiscated and bank accounts holding PKR 70 million, linked to trafficking activities, have been frozen. The FIA issued 20 Red Notices through Interpol to track and arrest traffickers operating abroad, emphasizing the agency's commitment to international collaboration.

DG FIA Ahmad Ishaq Jahangir has instructed officers to prioritize the apprehension of agents involved in boat tragedies. He said that nationwide airports are under stricter surveillance, with airport in-charges tasked with preventing traffickers from fleeing the country.

The FIA reaffirmed its resolve to dismantle human trafficking networks and bring perpetrators to justice. The agency is combining arrests, financial crackdowns, and internal reforms to enhance its efficiency and accountability. The public has been assured that the FIA is working tirelessly to eliminate human trafficking and restore trust in law enforcement’s ability to protect lives, the DG concluded.