FIA Immigration intercepts 68 passengers wanted by NAB, Anti-Corruption

Staff Report

LAHORE: FIA Immigration authorities have started stringent screening measures at airports across the country as an initiative to curb human smuggling, document fraud, and other transnational crimes. Its latest example was Saad ur Rehman alias Ducky Bhai who was trying to flee from country after being involved in promoting gambling apps in the country.

Since his name was on Exit Control List so Immigration authorities at Allama Iqbal International Airport stopped him and after arrest handed him over to National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency. According to official figures released by FIA Immigration Lahore, more than 3.1 million passengers were processed through immigration at Lahore Airport over the past eight months. During this period, a total of 15,654 flights were handled, comprising both incoming and outgoing international routes.

Of these, immigration services were provided for approximately 1.63 million outbound passengers on 7,846 international flights, while 1.5 million passengers were processed upon arrival from abroad. The FIA’s crackdown also led to the arrest of 45 individuals who attempted to travel using fraudulent documents. In addition, 86 passengers involved in begging activities were apprehended. All detainees were handed over to the Anti-Human Smuggling Circle, Lahore, for further investigation and legal proceedings.

In a significant development, FIA immigration officials successfully foiled escape attempts by 30 suspects wanted by the Punjab Police. Similarly, 68 individuals—wanted by the National Accountability Bureau, Anti-Corruption Establishment, and other law enforcement agencies—were intercepted at Lahore Airport before they could flee the country. These individuals were already placed on the stop list and were wanted in connection with serious criminal cases.

All arrested suspects were subsequently handed over to the concerned authorities for further action. A spokesperson for the FIA stated that providing secure, efficient, and transparent immigration services remains the agency’s foremost priority. The travel documents of all passengers are being thoroughly verified to prevent illegal travel and trafficking.

Apart from all above on the commendation of Integrated Border Management System, Risk Analysis Unit has pointed out youngsters’ between 15 to 40 years hailing from nine specific districts and trying to 15 countries should also be discouraged and screened strictly. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a zero-tolerance policy against human smuggling and immigration-related crimes. Spokesman said that all these actions were taken under the directives of Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency, Riffat Mukhtar Raja.