The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Immigration Wing arrested three women accused of begging in Saudi Arabia under the pretense of being Umrah pilgrims, as reported by ARY News.
The women, hailing from Multan, Muzaffargarh, and Rahim Yar Khan, were apprehended at Sialkot International Airport upon their return to Pakistan. According to an FIA spokesperson, the women had been engaged in begging activities in Saudi Arabia for several months.
This incident follows a similar operation in October, where FIA officials arrested eight individuals attempting to travel abroad for begging. The arrests took place during two separate operations at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport.
Among those detained were Noori Anwar, Asia Bibi, Samina Bibi, Sakina Bibi, and Muhammad Akram, who were caught attempting to board flights QR-611 and XY-638 to Saudi Arabia on Pakistani passports. During immigration checks, officials found their documents suspicious. Further investigations revealed that they planned to engage in begging activities in Saudi Arabia.
The suspects failed to provide valid hotel bookings or sufficient justification for their travel expenses. All five individuals were arrested and handed over to the Anti-Human Trafficking Circle Karachi for further legal action.
In another operation, three passengers, identified as Salman, Muhammad Nauman, and Muhammad Hussain, were intercepted while attempting to travel to Azerbaijan using forged documents. They were also taken into custody for further investigation.
These arrests are part of ongoing efforts by the FIA to combat illegal activities and human trafficking disguised as legitimate travel.