Interpol issues red warrants for 30 human smugglers operating from Pakistan

WEB DESK: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) of Pakistan has announced that Interpol has issued red warrants against 30 human smugglers operating from the country. The move comes under FIA directives aimed at cracking down on transnational human trafficking networks.

According to officials, the 30 individuals were running smuggling operations in Dubai, Libya, Egypt, and Qatar. Many of these suspects were already listed in the FIA’s “Red Book,” the agency’s internal record of wanted criminals.

To strengthen international cooperation and curb human trafficking, the FIA has also established liaison offices in Muscat, Tehran, and Athens. These offices aim to coordinate with local authorities in tracking and apprehending smugglers involved in cross-border human trafficking.

The FIA emphasised that the crackdown is part of Pakistan’s broader efforts to combat organised human smuggling and dismantle networks exploiting vulnerable individuals.

FIA sacks officers over negligence in Greece boat tragedy, ties to smugglers

Earlier this month, the FIA intensified its internal accountability measures, taking strict action against numerous officers for professional negligence, misconduct, and alleged links to human smuggling networks. High-ranking officials, including the Deputy Director of Karachi Airport and multiple Assistant Directors, were dismissed for negligence related to the 2023 Greece boat tragedy, which claimed hundreds of Pakistani lives. An Assistant Database Administrator was also terminated.

Officers suspected of involvement in human trafficking faced disciplinary measures as well. The Deputy Director of Multan Airport was demoted for three years over alleged ties to smugglers, connected to the ongoing Libya boat disaster probe that has already led to 30 suspensions.

Additional penalties included pay scale reductions for four Assistant Directors and an Inspector, and dismissals of two Senior Investigators for substandard inquiries. Cases of prisoner mishandling and absenteeism also resulted.