The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has uncovered a human trafficking and sexual exploitation network during immigration operations at the Karachi airport, leading to the arrest of multiple suspects.
According to FIA immigration officials, two female passengers travelling to the United Arab Emirates on Pakistani passports with valid tourist visas were offloaded during immigration clearance upon revelation that they were being sent to work in massage centres under the pretext of tourism.
The passengers, including Sumaira, a resident of Faisalabad, admitted that she was recruited through Facebook and WhatsApp by a woman identified as Shumaila, who promised a monthly salary of Rs150,000.
Sumaira stated that visas and tickets were arranged through Shumaila’s UAE-based associate Babar who also provided financial support. She disclosed that she was linked with Nosheen Ishaq and her husband Jamshed Iqbal for joint travel and had been residing at Shumaila’s flat in Azam Town, Karachi.
Investigations revealed that Syed Muhammad Asim facilitated travel arrangements and ‘show money’, and admitted involvement in operating massage centres and sexual exploitation businesses.
WhatsApp chats saved under a contact named ‘Shu John’ confirmed coordination of multiple passengers, documents, and financial transactions. Another accomplice, Noman, provided pick-and-drop services on Shumaila’s direction.
Mobile phones of the suspects, including Sumaira, Nosheen, Iqbal, Asim and Noman, were seized, containing relevant chats and voice notes. In light of these findings, both female passengers were referred to the Anti-Human Trafficking Circle (AHTC), along with Iqbal, Noman and Asim, for further investigations and legal action. FIA officials confirmed that more arrests were expected as the investigations continued.
