The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Immigration has uncovered a human trafficking network at Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, involved in smuggling young women abroad for prostitution under the cover of overseas employment, officials confirmed.
According to FIA authorities, the case surfaced after a woman travelling on a visit visa to Dubai raised suspicion during routine questioning. She had been promised a hotel job, but her statements revealed key details about a trafficking operation.
Based on the woman’s identification, FIA officials arrested Shahzaib, who allegedly arranged her visa and airline ticket. Investigators said Shahzaib received funds from another suspected smuggler, Nadeem, to facilitate the travel.
The FIA spokesperson stated that the traffickers charged Rs420,000 for the process. Of this amount, Rs40,000 was reportedly paid to an agent for airport clearance in Karachi. Further investigation revealed WhatsApp conversations linking Shahzaib to other individuals involved in prostitution-related activities abroad.
ایف آئی اے گوجرانوالہ زون کا انسانی سمگلرز کے خلاف کریک ڈاؤن 8 ملزمان محمد افضل ، محمد امجد، محمد عمران چٹھہ ، عمر فاروق، لقمان امجد، طارق علی ، عامر سہیل اور محمد افضل ماویہ گرفتا ملزمان شہریوں کو بیرون ملک بھجوانے میں ناکام رہے اور بھاری رقوم وصول کر کے روپوش ہو گئے تھے pic.twitter.com/Vw90mgmteD
— Federal Investigation Agency – FIA (@FIA_Agency) December 14, 2025Authorities moved the victim to the Anti-Human Trafficking Circle for legal protection and further proceedings. Meanwhile, Shahzaib remains in FIA custody as investigators work to identify additional members of the network.
In a separate operation, the FIA also foiled an attempt to smuggle passengers abroad by sea. The action led to the arrest of eight individuals at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport.
According to the FIA, the passengers planned to travel illegally to Albania and had each paid nearly Rs1 million to human smugglers. The FIA said the arrested agents operated an organised human smuggling network and belonged to different areas of Gujrat. Officials added that other accomplices were managing operations from Saudi Arabia and Greece.
Read: FIA Clarifies Passenger Offloading Reasons at Pakistani Airports
During the operation, FIA officers recovered counterfeit airline tickets and foreign currencies, including Euros, US dollars, and Iranian rials, from the suspects.
The FIA reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling human trafficking and smuggling networks. Officials said intelligence-based operations will continue nationwide to protect vulnerable individuals and curb illegal migration.
