WEB DESK: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Wednesday presented details of its nationwide crackdown on human smuggling to the National Assembly as the year began with tragedies of those trying to cross borders illegally.
The organisation revealed a series of arrests and asset recoveries over the past two years. According to documents submitted, the FIA arrested 204 suspects between 2023 and 2025 in operations targeting human traffickers. During this period, authorities recovered over PKR48 million, while assets worth more than PKR602 million were frozen. Additionally, bank accounts holding over PKR115 million were seized.
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The FIA also disclosed that 531 additional arrests were made in connection with boat accidents linked to human smuggling networks. These arrests led to the recovery of Rs24.5 million. Furthermore, properties valued at over Rs818 million and bank accounts exceeding Rs190 million in worth were frozen as part of the agency’s actions.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, addressing notions around passport security assured lawmakers that recent enhancements have made counterfeiting impossible. “Passports are equipped with so many security features now that duplication is not feasible”.
However, he also added that several individuals involved in forging passports had been arrested as part of enforcement measures, which refutes the claim that it is impossible to make a counterfeited passport.