GWADAR: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested 14 individuals who were attempting to illegally travel to Iran, in a major operation conducted by the FIA Composite Circle Gwadar. Officials confirmed that the group was intercepted in the Jiwani area while preparing to use a sea route to cross the border through unlawful means.
Read More: FIA arrests four suspects in banking fraud
According to an FIA spokesperson, the operation was launched after intelligence reports indicated unusual movement of people near the coastline. The arrested individuals were taken into custody without resistance, and authorities say the crackdown aims to curb illegal human smuggling networks operating in the region. The spokesperson added that strict monitoring has been intensified in coastal areas known for such trafficking attempts.
غیر قانونی طور پر ایران جانے والے 14 ملزمان گرفتار#Iran #IllegalImmigration #Pakistan #FIA #BreakingNews #GTVNews pic.twitter.com/viVgcBGTYA
— GTV News HD (@GTVNewsPk) November 26, 2025
Among those detained, four individuals belong to Gujranwala, two to Faisalabad, and five to Lower Dir. The remaining three are residents of Swabi, Mardan, and Malakand. FIA officials said these diverse origins highlight the growing trend of people from multiple districts seeking unauthorized routes in pursuit of better opportunities abroad, often falling prey to smugglers.
Initial investigations revealed that the suspects were not only planning to cross into Iran illegally but were also hoping to travel onward to other countries. Authorities suspect that the group may have been promised onward passage to Gulf or European nations by human traffickers, who frequently exploit economic hardships and lack of awareness among vulnerable individuals.
Read More: FIA arrests three human traffickers
The FIA has formally registered a case against all 14 suspects and initiated further investigation to identify the facilitators involved in the attempt. Officials said efforts are underway to dismantle the broader network responsible for arranging illegal travel along Pakistan’s coastal belt. They reiterated that strict action will continue against anyone attempting to cross borders unlawfully, ensuring that human smuggling rings are effectively disrupted.