Latest news with #Anti-HumanTraffickingCircle
Express Tribune
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
FIA probes futsal team trafficking scandal
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has opened a formal probe into allegations that members of Pakistan's national futsal team were involved in an organized human smuggling operation. The investigation centers on claims that individuals traveling as players, officials, and support staff used the cover of participation in the 2024 Colombia Futsal Championship to illegally cross into the United States via Mexico. Deputy Director Saadullah Mehsud of the FIA's Anti-Human Trafficking Circle (AHTC) in Peshawar told the Express Tribune that credible evidence has emerged showing several team members exploited the tournament as a pretext to escape abroad. "We have begun collecting detailed evidence in this case," he confirmed. The championship, organized by the International Federation of Futsal (FIFUSA), took place from September 12 to 23, 2024, in Bucaramanga, Colombia, with Pakistan's national team invited to compete. Sources revealed that at least six individuals — Abdullah, Masood Khan, Iqbal Hussain, Wali Muhammad, Haseebullah, and Muhammad Mustafa - all reportedly from District Khyber, traveled as players, technical officials, a media coordinator, and a physiotherapist. These individuals are believed to have crossed illegally into US territory after arriving in Colombia. The number of those involved may be higher, as the official squad reportedly included 21 members. The probe was launched following a complaint by professional futsal player Nematullah, who accused the team's head coach, Muhammad Arshad, of fraud. Nematullah alleged the coach promised him a visa to Brazil in exchange for money, which was neither arranged nor refunded. He further claimed he was unfairly dropped from the Colombia tournament, while non-athletes were included after making substantial payments. FIA investigators also disclosed that two suspects, Iqbal Hussain and Wali Muhammad, reportedly Afghan nationals, obtained Pakistani identity cards and passports illegally to participate in the scheme. Three primary suspects have been identified: the futsal coach at Qayyum Sports Complex Peshawar, a karate and futsal coach from Landi Kotal, and the President of the Pakistan Soccer Futsal Federation. These individuals traveled with the team to Colombia but returned without several of the purported players. The FIA is expanding its inquiry to clarify their role in facilitating the trafficking operation. An insider from the futsal federation claimed each individual paid between Rs3.5 to 4 million to secure Colombian visas, indicating a well-organized and financially motivated smuggling ring operating for months.
Express Tribune
11-05-2025
- Express Tribune
FIA arrests two over fake documents for US visa in Karachi
Listen to article The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)'s Anti-Human Trafficking Circle in Karachi has arrested two suspects for attempting to obtain US visas using forged medical documents, Express News reported. According to an FIA spokesperson, the arrests were made following a complaint from the US Consulate. The two suspects, identified as Muhammad Tauseef Khan and Imran Nazir Silhari, were taken into custody outside the consulate premises. Initial investigations revealed that the suspects submitted counterfeit medical documents in an attempt to secure visas on medical grounds. The suspects were reportedly in contact with two agents, identified as Aqeel and Tabassum Zia, who facilitated the preparation of fake documents. Read More: FIA arrests visa consultant after US consulate complaint The FIA further disclosed that suspect Tauseef had agreed to pay Rs1 million to agent Aqeel for visa facilitation, while suspect Imran Nazir had negotiated a Rs2.5 million deal with agent Zia for the same purpose. The forged documents were used in an attempt to mislead the US Consulate, the FIA said. The suspects are currently in custody, and investigations are ongoing. The FIA spokesperson confirmed that, based on information obtained during interrogation, further action will be taken against the agents involved in the visa fraud scheme. 'The suspects attempted to mislead the US Consulate through fabricated documentation,' the FIA spokesperson said. Read More: US State Dept denies reports of travel ban list The arrests were made by the Anti-Human Trafficking Circle of FIA Karachi. Authorities have launched a wider investigation and are now pursuing the agents involved, based on information obtained from the detainees. In March, it was reported that the US was considering placing Pakistan on a list for partial suspension of visa issuance. However, the US State Department has dismissed reports suggesting that the government is preparing such a list to impose new visa restrictions on several countries.
Express Tribune
19-02-2025
- Express Tribune
FIA arrests visa consultant after US consulate complaint
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Anti-Human Trafficking Circle in Karachi has arrested a suspect involved in creating fraudulent documents. The arrested individual has been identified as Mohammad Mushtaq Rajput, who was apprehended during a raid in Karachi. The action was taken after a complaint was lodged by the US Consulate in Karachi, which reported that the suspect had been deceiving citizens by issuing fake appointment letters. According to the initial investigation, Rajput issued a fake appointment letter to a citizen while operating a visa consultancy business under the name 'Mansoor Consultants'. The investigation revealed that Rajput had charged the victim PKR 200,000 in exchange for the fake documents. When the victim contacted the concerned authorities to verify the appointment, the forgery was exposed. Following this, the US authorities filed a written complaint, prompting the FIA to take immediate action. The FIA has arrested Mohammad Mushtaq Rajput and initiated an inquiry into the matter. The investigation is ongoing, and the authorities are working to uncover the full extent of the fraudulent activities.
Express Tribune
29-01-2025
- Express Tribune
Two 'human traffickers' land behind bars
ISLAMABAD': The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested two suspects, including the leader of a gang allegedly involved in the abduction and torture of a Pakistani citizen in Turkey. According to officials, the crackdown on human trafficking was carried out under the directives of FIA Director General Ahmed Ishaq Jahangir. The FIA's Anti-Human Trafficking Circle in Abbottabad conducted a raid in Haripur, arresting two "notorious human traffickers, Muhammad Shehzad and Ghulam Farooq". Officials said Shehzad was on the most-wanted list for human smuggling and was identified as a partner of Zahid Khan, another trafficker operating in Turkey. Shehzad, along with his accomplices, sent a Pakistani citizen to Turkey, where he was held hostage and brutally tortured. Reports indicate that the traffickers went as far as pulling out the victim's fingernails while demanding ransom from his family. The gang lured unsuspecting individuals with promises of employment abroad, only to hold them captive upon arrival. Ghulam Farooq, one of the arrested suspects, was running an unlicensed travel agency. Authorities recovered three passports and other evidence from the suspects, who were also found guilty of defrauding people out of millions of rupees.
