GUJRAT: The Federal Investigation Agency has registered two additional cases linked to the recent migrant boat tragedy off the Italy coast, intensifying its crackdown on human trafficking networks.
With these developments, authorities have now filed seven cases within the Gujranwala Zone, including new complaints at police stations in Gujrat and Sialkot. Officials reported that initial estimates suggested around 20 Pakistani victims; however, investigators have so far confirmed data for 16 individuals.
According to sources, one survivor successfully reached Italy, while the remaining 15 individuals remain missing. Meanwhile, authorities continue to rely on local sources and affected families to gather further details, as official confirmation from Italian authorities is still pending.
Furthermore, only seven families have formally registered complaints against alleged traffickers, while others have yet to come forward. In one recent case, a complainant accused a suspected agent of charging Rs4.3 million to send his son abroad through a complex smuggling route involving multiple African countries before the fatal journey.
In addition, FIA officials reported progress in related investigations. Authorities arrested an associate of a key suspect in Hafizabad and recovered Rs10 million believed to be collected from victims.
Separately, officials detained two suspects, including an airline staff member, for facilitating illegal travel using a fake visa. The passenger, who departed from Sialkot to Bahrain, was deported after authorities discovered the fraud.
Consequently, investigations continue as authorities attempt to dismantle trafficking networks and identify victims.
