ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has uncovered a major human smuggling operation, arresting a suspected trafficker who sent a 17-member fake football team to Japan.
The fake football team traveled to Japan from Sialkot Airport; however, they were deported after Japanese authorities found their documents to be fake.
FIA said in a statement that the suspect – identified as Waqas Ali – allegedly forged a Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) registration certificate and a fake no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to obtain visas for his fake football team members.
Investigators revealed that Ali charged each individual between Rs4 million and Rs4.5 million for the travel arrangements.
پی آر نمبر: 735/2025
ایف آئی اے کمپوزٹ سرکل گوجرانوالہ کی بڑی کارروائی
پاکستانی فٹبال فیڈریشن کا جعلی رجسٹریشن سرٹیفیکیٹ ظاہر کر کے 17 نوجوانوں کو جاپان بھجوانے میں ملوث انسانی سمگلر وقاص علی گرفتارملزم نے شہریوں سے فی کس 40 سے 45 لاکھ روپے وصول کیے pic.twitter.com/dmXDSwYyYF— Federal Investigation Agency – FIA (@FIA_Agency) September 16, 2025
The FIA added that he had previously sent 17 more youths to Japan in 2024 using visit visas.
Further investigations are under way to trace and arrest additional facilitators involved in the racket, the anti-crime watchdog said.
Earlier in July, two members of Pakistan’s contingent participating in the FISU World University Games 2025 in Germany had absconded.
Sources claimed that from the group of 27, two athletes named Shazil Ahmed and Nadeem Ali disappeared after taking part in their respective competitions.
Notorious smuggler held in Quetta
In a separate action, the FIA Anti-Human Trafficking Circle in Quetta arrested a smuggler named Amanullah along with four Afghan nationals.
PM Sharif takes notice of land-grabbing allegations by ex-PIA chairman
Officials said crucial evidence was recovered from Amanullah’s mobile phone, linking him to a notorious human trafficker, Najeebullah.
13 barred from illegal sea crossing
FIA’s Composite Circle in Gwadar arrested 13 people attempting to illegally cross into Iran by sea.
According to the agency, nine suspects were from Punjab, while four belonged to various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Peshawar Airport action foils fake visa bid
FIA immigration authorities at Peshawar Airport foiled an attempt to travel abroad using fake visas.
Two passengers, identified as Adil Raza and Musharraf Mahmood, were offloaded after presenting counterfeit Albanian work visas.
Acting on their information, FIA arrested three agents – Ghulam Dastgir, Mohammad Riaz, and Tauqeer Ahmed – allegedly involved in the scam.