FIA Arrests Smuggler in Nankana Sahib Raid

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The Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Lahore Zone has arrested a man accused of running a human smuggling operation in Nankana Sahib.

Officials said the suspect, identified as Muhammad Talha Latif, allegedly defrauded multiple citizens by promising them jobs in Dubai and Bahrain. According to the FIA, he collected Rs 1.65 million from applicants and later went into hiding.

During the arrest, authorities recovered 16 Pakistani passports, which they believe were intended for use in the fraudulent scheme. The FIA spokesperson stated that the passports are now in official custody as part of the investigation.

The arrest was made during an ongoing crackdown against human smuggling and visa fraud networks operating in Punjab. The FIA has been conducting targeted operations in recent weeks, aiming to dismantle groups exploiting people seeking overseas employment.

An FIA official confirmed that further investigations are underway to identify and arrest other individuals connected to Latif’s activities. Authorities are also reviewing whether any travel or recruitment agencies were knowingly involved in the scam.

The agency urged citizens to be cautious when approached with overseas job offers, particularly those requiring large upfront payments. Officials advised verifying any visa or employment claims through official government channels to avoid falling victim to similar schemes.

This arrest follows a series of recent operations by the FIA Lahore Zone against human trafficking networks. In previous raids, several suspects were detained in connection with high-profile cases, including incidents linked to illegal migration attempts and maritime tragedies.

Human smuggling remains a serious concern in Pakistan, with many individuals lured by the promise of better opportunities abroad. The FIA continues to monitor suspected traffickers and conduct operations across the country to curb the practice.

The agency has reaffirmed its commitment to bringing offenders to justice and protecting citizens from exploitation. Authorities say more raids are planned in the coming weeks as part of the wider campaign against human trafficking.