The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has busted a major human smuggling scheme, arresting a suspect accused of sending a 17-member fake football team to Japan.
The group reportedly departed from Sialkot Airport but was deported after Japanese authorities discovered their documents were forged. According to the FIA, the suspect, identified as Waqas Ali, fabricated a Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) registration certificate and a fake no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to secure visas for the fake players.
Investigators revealed that Ali charged each individual between Rs4 million and Rs4.5 million for arranging the trip. They further disclosed that he had earlier sent 17 youths to Japan in 2024 using visit visas. Efforts are under way to trace his facilitators and dismantle the wider network.
In a separate crackdown, FIA’s Anti-Human Trafficking Circle in Quetta arrested Amanullah, a smuggler linked to notorious trafficker Najeebullah, along with four Afghan nationals. Evidence was recovered from his mobile phone.
Meanwhile, FIA’s Gwadar unit stopped 13 individuals attempting to cross illegally into Iran by sea, and Peshawar Airport authorities foiled a fake visa bid, arresting two passengers and three agents involved in the scam.
During severe crackdown, FIA Apprehends Human Smuggling Suspects in Lahore
