The Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Human Trafficking Circle has registered a case against Abdul Shakoor, also known as Shahzaib Naqshbandi, for his involvement in an illegal scheme. According to Ali Murad Baladi, Deputy Director of the FIA’s Anti-Human Trafficking Circle, several Umrah pilgrims from Karachi filed complaints after some of their relatives were arrested in Saudi Arabia on drug smuggling charges.
The complainants, including Nazia Nazim, Mahmooda Bano, and Niaz Muhammad, revealed that Abdul Shakoor, a travel agent based in Kharadar, arranged their travel packages, including visas, tickets, and accommodation, charging Rs265,000 per person.
At the airport, Shakoor and his accomplice, Junaid, allegedly approached the pilgrims, claiming that Shakoor’s mother was critically ill in Saudi Arabia. They requested the pilgrims to deliver medicine packets, insisting these were life-saving drugs unavailable in Saudi Arabia. Unaware of the illicit contents, the pilgrims agreed to carry the packages.
Upon arrival at the Saudi airport, several pilgrims — including Nazim Khan, Sameer, and Khurram Ameen — were arrested for drug smuggling and are now imprisoned in Saudi jails.
Following the complaints, the FIA launched an inquiry, uncovering substantial evidence against Abdul Shakoor and Junaid. A case (No. 311/24) has been registered, and authorities are conducting raids to apprehend the accused. Efforts to contact Abdul Shakoor via his mobile number have been unsuccessful as his phone remains switched off. Attempts to reach his father and brother were also futile.
In connection with the case, a video obtained by Daily Jang shows Abdul Shakoor taking responsibility for the matter but shifting blame to another accomplice, claiming they were responsible for sending the drugs to Saudi Arabia. Shakoor also asserted that his office staff did not know about the scheme. According to FIA officials, Shakoor was summoned multiple times during the investigation but was untraceable despite efforts to locate him at his office.