Following successful operations across southern Punjab, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has taken into custody six people linked to migrant smuggling and visa fraud.
As per the details, the arrests were executed by the FIA’s Anti-Human Trafficking Circles in Multan, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Bahawalpur and Dera Ghazi Khan.
The arrested individuals were identified as Muhammad Qasim, Abdul Manan, Shakeel Ahmed, Ajmal, Sajjad Hussain and Muhammad Irfan.
Officials reported that Qasim had gathered Rs350,000 by assuring citizens of job opportunities in Iraq, while Abdul Manan allegedly extorted Rs790,000 with a similar promise for employment in Saudi Arabia.
Shakeel Ahmed amassed Rs1,460,000 by offering positions in Iraq, and Ajmal allegedly took Rs800,000 with similar claims.
Sajjad Hussain received Rs250,000 for misleading citizens about job opportunities in Saudi Arabia.
According to the FIA, Irfan was already a suspect in three separate cases and had swindled millions of rupees by claiming he could send numerous individuals overseas.
Authorities said that none of the arrested individuals had actually facilitated anyone’s travel abroad.
They are accused of collecting substantial amounts from individuals and later evading arrest.
Further probe is underway, officials said.