KARACHI: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Immigration on Sunday foiled an attempt to trafficing a woman for sexual exploitation, offloading three passengers from a United Arab Emirates (UAE)-bound flight at Jinnah International Airport.
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According to an FIA spokesperson, the passengers included a woman identified as Sumaira, who was allegedly being trafficked, and two suspected facilitators, Nosheen Ishaq and her husband Jamshed Iqbal. The action led to the exposure of what authorities described as an organised network involved in human smuggling and sexual exploitation.
Initial investigations revealed that the suspects were attempting to take the woman to the UAE, where she was to be subjected to sexual exploitation. Following the victim’s identification, two additional alleged facilitators, Asim and Noman, were arrested for their suspected involvement in the operation.
The FIA stated that the victim had been recruited by a woman named Shamila through social media platforms, including Facebook and WhatsApp. She was allegedly promised a monthly salary of Rs150,000 to lure her into travelling abroad.
Investigators said Shamila, in coordination with her accomplices Nosheen Ishaq and Jamshed Iqbal, arranged the victim’s travel documents and logistics. Authorities added that the suspects had previously facilitated the travel of several women to the UAE under similar circumstances.
During a raid conducted at Shamila’s flat in Azam Town, Karachi, the FIA recovered multiple pieces of evidence, including mobile phones containing WhatsApp conversations, photographs and records of financial transactions.
According to officials, Muhammad Asim and Noman allegedly provided travel arrangements and transportation support to the group.
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The FIA spokesperson confirmed that all five suspects have been handed over to the FIA Anti-Human Trafficking Circle, Karachi, for further investigation. Authorities said efforts were under way to identify additional victims and dismantle the wider network involved in the illegal activities.