KEY POINTS
- The report reveals that 17 traffickers were involved in the deadly Greece boat incident.
- Human trafficking gangs operate across countries like Libya, Greece, and Mauritania, using evolving routes.
- Only six smugglers could be convicted, with many granted post-arrest bail.
- Pakistani migrants are increasingly using routes through Libya and Senegal, paying up to Rs. 3.5 million for illegal migration to Spain.
ISLAMABAD: As many as 34 personnel of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Pakistan’s border control agency, “were found involved in human smuggling”, reveals a special report of a federal intelligence agency recently submitted at the country’s Prime Minister’s office.
Sources in the Prime Minister’s office told WE News English that the report—conducted by the Intelligence Bureau (IB) in the wake of Greece boat mishap on December 14 last year—also identifies a number of human traffickers and their facilitators.
“It provides a list of 35 personnel of law-enforcement agencies (LEAs), 34 of whom are from FIA—mostly sub-inspectors, inspectors and assistant directors—and one from the Special Branch,” the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Another list provides the details of 17 human traffickers involved in the Greece boat incident besides submitting the list of 160 active human smugglers along with the credentials.
The report identified 35 law-enforcement officials involved in human smuggling, 34 of them from the FIA—mostly sub-inspectors, inspectors, and assistant directors—and one from the Special Branch.
Moreover, the IB officials also briefed the prime minister about the findings of the report, mostly focusing on discussing the modus operandi of the human traffickers to smuggle Pakistanis abroad, carrying hefty amounts.
The report also highlights old and newly-innovated across-boarder routes being used by human smugglers for illegal human transportation.
According to the report, the IB conducted a discreet probe regarding human trafficking including but not limited to gathering information about victims of a recent Greece incident, identification of human smugglers, the role of law-enforcement agencies in the facilitation of this menace, routes used for this purpose, and modus operandi employed by the perpetrators, etc.
The inescapable tragedies
A series of boat capsizing incidents occurred in December last year near the Greek Island of Gavdos, South Crete. In these incidents, 47 Pakistani nationals, including a minor, were rescued whereas five bodies of Pakistanis were initially recovered.
Subsequently, the death toll reached 40, as 35 missing Pakistanis were declared dead, following the Greek Coast Guard’s suspension of search and rescue operation.
These boats departed from Tobruk, Libya, embarking on a journey that typically lasts approximately 20 hours by sea. These small boats measuring between seven and 10 metres in length were overcrowded which led to the capsizing tragedy.
On December 14, 2024, a series of boat capsizing incidents occurred near the Greek Island of Gavdos, South Crete. In these incidents, 47 Pakistani nationals including a minor were rescued whereas five bodies of Pakistanis were initially recovered.
Forty-two victims had a matriculation level education or lower degree with a significant number being illiterate. The youngest victim was a 12-year-old student in the seventh grade while the oldest victim was around 47.
On June 14, 2023, a similar incident occurred when an Italy-bound fishing boat, carrying an estimated 700 migrants from Libya capsized and sank off the southern coast of Greece. An estimated 300 Pakistanis lost their lives in the incident.
In response and on the findings of the IB, the FIA registered 29 first information reports (FIRs) and arrested 18 human smugglers. IB also shared with the Ministry of Interior a list of 122 human traffickers.
Following the Greece boat incident in 2023, more than 100 FIRs were lodged at FIA Gujranwala and Gujrat offices and the challans were submitted in the court.
However, only six human smugglers could be convicted so far, whereas the rest of the accused were granted post-arrest bail by the courts. Besides, 66 accused were declared proclaimed offenders (POs).
Global human trafficking network
The IB report states that information gathered through multiple sources identified a transnational network of human trafficking, led by a Pakistani, Abid Ali Khan, hailing from the Nowshehra district in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The network spans from Asia and Europe to North and South America, comprising local and international criminal associates, operating in many countries including Malta, Cyprus, Italy, Spain, Greece Romania, Brazil, Australia, USA and Canada.
Khan has been working as a travel agent and visa consultant (not registered) since 2009, operating without any office. He has trafficked abroad 500 to 520 individuals from Pakistan, mostly to the US.
“In 2014 and 2018/19 two separate FIRs were registered against him. Subsequently, he was arrested but later on released due to lack of evidence and weak prosecution,” the IB report discloses.
In April 2022, the US declared him as one of the most wanted human traffickers in the world, announcing a massive reward for information leading to his arrest or conviction.
Traditional routes
A substantial number of Pakistani nationals engaged in illegal migration via Iran primarily originate from the regions of Balochistan, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
These individuals often initiate their journey in Quetta/Panjgur for onward transportation to transit points such as Yakmach and Mashkhel before embarking on the perilous overland journey across the border.
Upon entering Iran, the migrants are transported by the facilitators to Tehran and subsequently to border cities near the Iran-Türkiye border such as Urmia, Khoy, Maku and Salmas.
From these locations, they attempt to cross the mountains of the Iran-Türkiye border at night. Pakistani nationals residing in major Iranian cities often act as facilitators, collaborating with both Pakistani and Iranian smuggling networks.
China is another key route in this complex trafficking network. Pakistani nationals enter China on legitimate visas (business or student visas), but once they are in Guangzhou, China, they attempt a sea journey to Hong Kong via small boats known as ‘donkey boats.’
Since 2024, a new trend has emerged involving the trafficking of Pakistani nationals to Thailand and Myanmar. Chinese agents operating from UAE in collaboration with Pakistani agents, have been offering job opportunities in these countries.
In addition to the human trafficking routes of Thailand and Myanmar, the human traffickers facilitate illegal immigration to the US as well.
Previously, the primary route for transit through Iran into Türkiye, passed through urban centres as such Dogubeyazit, Caldiran, Van, Erzincan, Malatya, Ankara and Istanbul, culminating in cross-border movement from Edirne into Bulgaria.
To do this, they obtain genuine tourist visas for transit countries such as UAE and Türkiye after which migrants may secure a visa for South Africa or bypass it entirely to travel to South American countries like Brazil and Ecuador. From South America, they proceed towards Mexico, the primary gateway to the US.
The human smugglers, mostly operating from central Punjab’s Mandi Bahauddin district, charge exorbitant fees ranging from Rs. 10 million to Rs. 20 million to facilitate this perilous journey.
Evolving migration routes
Previously, the primary route for transit through Iran into Türkiye, passed through urban centres as such Dogubeyazit, Caldiran, Van, Erzincan, Malatya, Ankara and Istanbul, culminating in cross-border movement from Edirne into Bulgaria.
Nevertheless, subsequent to the implementation of enhanced enforcement measured by Turkish authorities along these established land routes, alternative points have emerged, notably, including coastal cities such as Bodrum, Izmir and Canakkale from which illegal migrants attempt various Mediterranean crossings to reach Greece.
The construction of the wall by Türkiye along its border with Iran considerably curtailed the flow of illegal migrants, particularly the influx of Pakistani nationals.
According to certain reports and estimates of 2020-21, Pakistani illegal migrants present within Türkiye were approximately 60,000 to 70,000. This figure has since decreased to around 6,000 to 7,000.
From January 2024 to November 2024, approximately 2,500 Pakistani illegal migrants were apprehended or deported from Türkiye compared to 4,700 deportations in 2023.
Consequently, irregular migrants now frequently attempt to enter Iraq from Iran under various pretexts often posing as religious pilgrims.
Within Iraq these individuals engaged in low-skilled labour while seeking opportunities for onward migration to Europe, frequently utilising routes through Syria to reach either Türkiye or Greece.
Libya: a new launching point
Historically, human smuggling networks have employed various routes, including those through Iran, Iraq, Türkiye and Greece to facilitate illegal migration to the European Union (EU). However, the strict implementation of stringent measures by the EU has compelled these networks to change their routes.
As a result, Libyan routes have gained prominence with migrants increasingly reaching Libya either by air using legal documents through the United Arab Emirates (UAE) or by land through Egypt.
According to the report, Senegal and Mauritania have become popular destinations for illegal migration to Europe for Pakistani nationals, owing to the visa-free entry for Pakistani passport holders and relocation of Pakistani human traffickers from Türkiye due to increased scrutiny there.
Pakistani migrants, mostly from the Punjab, embark on their journey to Europe via Dakar, Senegal. From Dakar, the migrants are subsequently transported to the coastal region of Nouakchott, Mauritania where they embark on the sea journey to reach Canary Island, Spain.
Upon arrival in Mauritania, an initial payment of Rs. 1.5 million is typically required with the remaining balance ranging from Rs. 3 million to Rs. 3.5 million become due upon their successful arrival in Spain.
Qafla Salars as human traffickers
Qafla Salars in the Punjab province organise religious pilgrimages to Iran, Iraq and Syria, utilising Iranian pilgrim visas for human trafficking purposes. Some illegal migrants use the UAE and Qatar as transit points to reach other destinations, including Europe.
The motivation for utilising Qatar as a transit point varies, encompassing employment opportunities and engagement in activities such as begging. The concept of the ‘azad visa’ is prevalent where individuals purchase visas and supporting documents to enter Qatar while assuming responsibility for securing employment, independently.
