Human smuggling
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has apprehended five individuals, namely Khizar Hayat, Farasat Ali, Shaukat Ali, Zain Ahmed, and Hassan Tariq, on charges related to human smuggling.
These suspects are accused of orchestrating illegal detentions of citizens abroad and extorting money from their families.
The arrests were carried out in various locations within Gujranwala and Gujrat districts, as confirmed by FIA officials.
Khizar Hayat, one of the arrested individuals, allegedly received 1.13 million rupees from a citizen to facilitate their travel abroad. Subsequently, the victim was unlawfully detained in Iran and subjected to physical abuse.
Videos of the torture were then used to coerce the victim’s family into paying an additional 9,25,000 rupees in extortion money, according to FIA statements.
Another accused, Farasat Ali, has been taken into custody for his involvement in extorting over 9.3 million rupees in collaboration with others.
US Imposes Entry Ban On West Bank Extremists Attacking Palestinians
Meanwhile, the United States has declared its intention to impose entry bans on Jewish extremist settlers involved in attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank, particularly since Israel initiated hostilities in Gaza.
In an opinion piece published in the Washington Post, President Joe Biden conveyed his strong message to Israel’s leaders, emphasizing the imperative to halt extremist violence against Palestinians in the West Bank and to hold those responsible accountable.
He asserted the readiness of the United States to take decisive actions, including implementing visa bans on individuals engaged in attacks against civilians in the West Bank.
Highlighting the alarming statistics from the United Nations, which reported eight Palestinians, including a child, killed by settlers in the West Bank and 74 others injured, with 33% of those injuries caused by live ammunition since the commencement of Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
