LAHORE, Punjab: The Federal Investigation Agency opened a human-smuggling investigation after 12 Pakistani youths went missing in Iran, including seven residents of a village near Jallo Mor.
The FIA’s Anti-Human Trafficking Circle Lahore registered a case and formed a special investigation team. Officials said raids were underway to arrest the suspected agent linked to the group’s travel.
Seven of the missing youths belong to Paseen village near Jallo Mor. They include three cousins: Dilshad, Usama and Waqas.
Their families alleged that an agent named Amir collected millions of rupees after promising to arrange overseas travel. The youths last contacted their relatives after reaching Iran and have remained unreachable since then.
The families also claimed that ransom demands were being made through Waqas’ phone number. They said they had received videos showing three missing youths wearing iron chains around their necks and asking relatives to arrange money for their release.
Read: FIA Busts Human Trafficking Ring at Karachi Airport
The allegations about captivity, ransom and the agent’s involvement have not yet been independently verified. The FIA has not announced an arrest or disclosed the youths’ intended final destination.
The agency said it would contact relevant foreign authorities to trace and recover the missing Pakistanis. The FIA maintains an overseas link office at Pakistan’s embassy in Tehran to identify human-smuggling victims and assist their return to Pakistan.
The Anti-Human Trafficking and Smuggling Wing investigates organised trafficking networks and coordinates operations through the FIA’s regional offices.
