GUJRANWALA: FIA arrests human smugglers in a coordinated crackdown across the Gujrat, Gujranwala and Sialkot circles of Punjab, netting eight suspects — including a proclaimed offender — accused of running a large-scale visa fraud and overseas job racket.
FIA Cracks Down on Human Smuggling Network
The FIA Gujranwala Zone has intensified action against human smuggling gangs and visa fraud agents operating in the region, arresting eight men accused of duping citizens with false promises of overseas jobs and immigration. Officials say the crackdown forms part of a broader, ongoing effort to dismantle networks that exploit citizens seeking to travel abroad for work
Muhammad Parvez in FIA custody
Mubashir Ali in FIA custody
Shafqat Ali in FIA custody
Shafqat Ali in FIA custody
Who Are the Accused?
The arrested suspects have been identified as Muhammad Parvez, Mubashir Ali, Shafqat Ali, Muhammad Asif, Ghulam Murtaza, Khurram Shehzad Bhalli, Hamza Salman — a proclaimed offender — and Khizar Shehzad. Each is accused of collecting large sums of money from citizens on the pretext of arranging jobs or immigration abroad.
How the Suspects Defrauded Victims
According to the FIA, the accused lured victims with false promises of jobs and overseas employment in Italy, Greece, Canada, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia and Sweden, and fraudulently collected large sums of money from them.
In one case, a victim who had paid for passage to Italy was instead taken to Libya. In another, victims were provided with fake Swedish visas, which led to their deportation upon arrival.
Proclaimed Offender Among Those Held
A proclaimed offender produced before an FIA official following his arrest
Circle-Wise Breakdown of the Arrests
The FIA’s Gujrat Circle arrested four suspects, the Gujranwala Circle arrested three — including the proclaimed offender — and the Sialkot Circle arrested one suspect, bringing the total number of arrests to eight.
Khurram Shehzad Bhalli in FIA custody
Khizar Shehzad held at an FIA lock-up
Legal Action and Ongoing Investigation
Cases have been registered against all the accused under the Immigration Ordinance 1979, the Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants Act 2018, and other relevant laws. Further investigation is underway to trace any wider network of facilitators and agents linked to the accused
A Pattern of Crackdowns Across Punjab
This is not an isolated action. FIA Gujranwala Zone has repeatedly targeted human smuggling networks in recent months, at times arresting more than a dozen suspects in a single operation and uncovering fraud running into tens of millions of rupees. Officials say such networks typically operate through local agents who promise quick, guaranteed visas for popular destinations, only to disappear with victims’ money or arrange fraudulent travel documents that later expose migrants to detention or deportation abroad.
Advice for Citizens Seeking Work Abroad
The FIA spokesperson urged citizens to adopt only legal channels when travelling abroad and to avoid falling prey to fake agents. Citizens have been advised to:
- Verify that a recruiting agent is licensed by the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BE&OE) before making any payment.
- Avoid handing over original passports or personal documents to unauthorised individuals or agents.
- Confirm visa and job offer details directly with the concerned embassy or an officially designated visa application centre.
- Report suspected fraud or smuggling attempts to the nearest FIA office or its helpline.
FIA Vows Crackdown Will Continue
The FIA Gujranwala Zone says its crackdown on human smuggling, visa fraud and illegal immigration will continue without discrimination. As FIA arrests human smugglers across Punjab, officials say the operation sends a clear signal that those exploiting citizens’ desire to work abroad will be pursued and prosecuted.