ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)’s immigration wing has arrested three women who were begging in Saudi Arabia on the pretext of being Umrah pilgrims, here on Sunday.
As per the details, the women, hailing from Multan, Muzaffargarh and Rahim Yar Khan, were arrested at Sialkot International Airport upon their return to Pakistan. According to an FIA spokesperson, the women had been begging in Saudi Arabia for several months.
The incident follows a similar operation in October, where FIA officials arrested eight people who were trying to go abroad to beg. The arrests were made during two separate operations at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport.
Among those detained were Noori Anwar, Asia Bibi, Samina Bibi, Sakina Bibi, and Muhammad Akram, who were caught attempting to board flights QR-611 and XY-638 to Saudi Arabia on Pakistani passports. During immigration checks, officials found their documents suspicious. Further investigations revealed that they planned to engage in begging activities in Saudi Arabia.
The suspects failed to provide valid hotel bookings or sufficient justification for their travel expenses. All five individuals were arrested and handed over to the Anti-Human Trafficking Circle Karachi for further legal action.
In another operation, three passengers, identified as Salman, Muhammad Nauman, and Muhammad Hussain, were intercepted while attempting to travel to Azerbaijan using forged documents. They were also taken into custody for further investigation.
These arrests are part of ongoing efforts by the FIA to combat illegal activities and human trafficking disguised as legitimate travel.
