KARACHI: The Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Anti-Human Trafficking Circle in Karachi has made a significant arrest, catching a suspect attempting to travel to the United States using fake documents under the guise of club cricket.
Shakeel Rafiq, the suspect from Lahore, was apprehended outside the US Consulate in Karachi after the consulate requested action. Rafiq obtained the fake documents from an agent named Sajjad, reportedly a friend, for 32,000 Emirati Dirhams, paying Rs450,000 upfront and promising the remainder upon securing the visa.
However, when questioned by consulate staff, Rafiq’s lack of cricket knowledge and unsatisfactory answers raised suspicions.
An investigation is underway, with raids conducted to apprehend Sajjad, the agent involved. This isn’t the FIA’s first success; previously, five suspects were arrested in Karachi for money laundering, with authorities seizing substantial amounts of local and foreign currency.
FIA Director-General Ahmad Ishaq Jahangir emphasized the need for stronger action against money laundering and human trafficking at the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) conference.
In addition, he highlighted Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to combat organized crime and stressed the importance of enhancing developing countries’ capacities to address these challenges.
