FIA Busts 'Dunki' Smuggling Cell and Arrests Two Suspects

Overview

• The FIA announced on Friday that its Anti-Human Trafficking Circle carried out coordinated raids in Karachi and Balochistan, arresting two suspected agents and placing between 16 and 21 prospective migrants into protective custody.
• The two men arrested were identified as Baber Shahzad and Muhammad Imtiaz Malik, and the agency has opened legal proceedings under the Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants Act.
• Investigators say migrants were lured with promises of jobs in Turkey and Iraq and allegedly charged about Rs500,000 each before being moved from central Punjab to Karachi and then through Balochistan toward Iran and onward to Turkey, Greece and Cyprus via the so-called 'Dunki' routes.
• The probe has uncovered allegations that some victims were held for ransom and includes disturbing claims of possible removal and sale of human organs, and those claims are now under active examination.
• Authorities say further inquiries will seek other network members and evidence to dismantle the syndicate while the rescued migrants remain in protective custody for interviews, medical checks and legal processing.