Federal Investigation Agencys (FIA) Anti-Human Trafficking Circle Karachi has arrested a most wanted suspect, identified as Azam, for his alleged involvement in an organized international beggary network operating under the cover of Umrah visas.
According to FIA officials, Azam was part of a begging mafia that sent individuals to Saudi Arabia under the guise of religious pilgrimage, where they were forced to beg. The suspect, who belongs to Multan, had previously served a sentence abroad for similar offenses. A case was registered against him in 2024, and after extensive intelligence gathering, he was taken into custody for further investigation.
The FIA revealed that the suspects network was linked to a larger international racket, exploiting vulnerable individuals by luring them with promises of Umrah but using them for organized street begging in Saudi Arabia.
Key FIA Crackdown Statistics (2025):
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144 cases registered against human trafficking and beggary mafias this year
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410 suspects arrested, including several women
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Passports blacklisted for individuals involved in overseas begging schemes
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Ongoing operations targeting organized gangs across Pakistan
An FIA spokesperson confirmed that the agency is intensifying its nationwide crackdown against human trafficking and organized begging mafias, vowing strict action against those exploiting citizens for illegal earnings abroad.
Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities linked to visa fraud, human smuggling, or begging rackets.
