The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), in collaboration with Interpol, successfully captured Ijaz Asghar, a fugitive who had been evading authorities since 2014.
Asghar was implicated in a murder case filed at the Tarkhani police station in Faisalabad, which prompted his flight from the country. Following his escape, the FIA issued a red notice for his arrest, setting off a coordinated effort involving Interpol offices in Islamabad and Riyadh. Upon his return to Islamabad, immigration officials transferred him to the Punjab police.
In a separate case, on September 3, the Punjab Police apprehended another high-profile fugitive, Fahad Mahmood, who had also been on the run for 16 years. His capture resulted from a collaboration between the FIA, Interpol’s National Central Bureau (NCB), and immigration authorities at Lahore airport.
Mahmood, classified as an ‘A-category’ wanted criminal due to the severity of his murder charge, had evaded law enforcement for years, complicating efforts to bring him to justice. His case gained notoriety after the 2008 murder of Sufyan in Gujranwala, which spurred an extensive investigation and significant media coverage.
Despite his lengthy disappearance, law enforcement remained dedicated to locating Mahmood, who had fled the country shortly after the crime. His arrest marked a notable achievement for the Punjab Police, who have focused on capturing high-profile criminals abroad.
In 2024 alone, they successfully apprehended 67 proclaimed offenders. This strategy, spearheaded by the Special Operations Cell, reflects a determined commitment to ensuring that fugitives cannot evade accountability indefinitely, reinforcing the resolve of Pakistani authorities to pursue justice.
