A pilgrimage meant to bring blessings has turned into a nightmare for a Karachi family after four members were arrested in Jeddah on allegations of drug smuggling. The case has sparked outrage in the Surjani Town area, where relatives are calling for urgent government intervention to secure their release.
Arrest in Jeddah and Initial Shock
The arrested individuals include Zakir (28), Zahida (23), Jamil (26), and Anwari (45). The family departed Karachi for Umrah on September 8. For ten days, there was no communication until September 19, when relatives received a call from an unidentified foreign number. During the call, they were informed that Saudi authorities had detained the family after banned substances were allegedly discovered in their luggage at Jeddah airport.
Family Alleges Entrapment by Travel Agent
Relatives claim the family fell victim to a sinister scheme run by a local travel agent named Ali, who arranged their Umrah package. According to them, the luggage and ihram were provided by the agent, leaving no opportunity for inspection before departure. They insist that the detained family members are innocent and have been framed through fraudulent means.
Accusations of a Criminal Network
Local Union Council Chairperson Zubaida Iqbal accused a wider network operating under the name of “Haji Sahib” of deceiving unsuspecting pilgrims. She alleged that the family was first taken to Islamabad, where they were held for ten days, before being sent to Jeddah with luggage they could not check. This suspicious handling, according to the relatives, proves the family was deliberately trapped.
Calls for Government Intervention
The distressed relatives have appealed directly to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and other senior authorities. They are urging immediate diplomatic action to secure the safe return of the family from Saudi Arabia.
Public Outcry Over Pilgrims’ Safety
The case has raised serious concerns about the safety of Pakistani pilgrims traveling abroad for religious purposes. Communities fear that organized criminal networks are exploiting vulnerable families under the guise of offering Umrah and Hajj packages. Many believe stricter regulations are needed to monitor travel agents and protect citizens from such exploitation.
The Karachi family’s arrest in Jeddah has highlighted both the risks faced by unsuspecting pilgrims and the urgent need for stronger oversight of travel operators. With appeals reaching Pakistan’s highest offices, the outcome of this case will be closely watched by families nationwide who fear similar exploitation.
