The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has filed a case against a Karachi-based travel agent, Abdul Shakoor (also known as Shahzaib Naqshbandi), accused of using Umrah pilgrims to smuggle drugs into Saudi Arabia under the pretext of his mother’s critical illness. The FIA’s Human Trafficking Circle registered the case after several Karachi-based pilgrims reported their relatives’ arrests in Saudi Arabia on drug smuggling charges.
According to Ali Murad Baladi, Deputy Director of the FIA’s Anti-Human Trafficking Circle, multiple complainants came forward, including Nazia Nazim, Mahmooda Bano, and Niaz Muhammad, who had been arranged for Umrah travel by Shakoor. They claimed that the travel agent had charged them Rs 265,000 per person for visa processing, tickets, and accommodations.
Upon arrival at the airport, Shakoor, along with his accomplice Junaid, allegedly approached the pilgrims, informing them that Shakoor’s mother was critically ill in Saudi Arabia and needed essential medications unavailable in the Kingdom. The pilgrims, unaware of the illegal contents, agreed to carry the medicine packages.
However, upon reaching Saudi Arabia, several pilgrims, including Nazim Khan, Sameer, and Khurram Ameen, were arrested for attempting to smuggle drugs and are now imprisoned in Saudi jails.
After gathering complaints from the victims, the FIA launched an investigation that uncovered strong evidence against Shakoor and Junaid. A formal case (No. 311/24) was filed, and authorities have begun conducting raids to apprehend the suspects.
Efforts to contact Shakoor via his mobile phone were unsuccessful, and attempts to reach his family members were also futile. In a video that surfaced, Shakoor admitted responsibility but placed the blame on another accomplice, claiming the drugs had been sent by them. He also stated that his office staff was unaware of the illicit activity.
The FIA has made several attempts to summon Shakoor for questioning, but he remains elusive. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to locate the suspects.
