The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Gujranwala Zone has reported significant progress in its crackdown on human trafficking and electricity theft over the past month. According to the agency, 39 out of 63 suspects booked on human trafficking charges have been arrested during August 2024. This includes two alleged traffickers implicated in high-profile kidnapping cases in Iran and Bulgaria.
A senior FIA official revealed that among those arrested, six were proclaimed offenders, with two being among the most-wanted fugitives apprehended during the recent crackdown. The suspects allegedly defrauded innocent people of approximately Rs120 million under the guise of facilitating overseas travel. The FIA also seized fake Pakistani passports and travel documents intended for use in Spain, Italy, Greece, and the United Kingdom. Additionally, around 30 passengers were offloaded from various flights at Sialkot Airport for attempting to travel with fraudulent documents. In response, document scrutiny for passengers from the Gujranwala region has been intensified at the airport.
In August, the FIA submitted challans against 49 human traffickers to the court. Meanwhile, the agency has also been active in tackling electricity theft, registering 21 cases and arresting 190 suspects. Of these, 60 cases have been forwarded to the court, and 36 new inquiries have been initiated against officials of the Gujranwala Electric Power Company (Gepco) following consumer complaints. The FIA reported a recovery of Rs80 million in various cases and the completion of 833 inquiries last month.
Rain-Related Losses in Gujrat:
In response to recent heavy rains, the local administration in Gujrat is compiling data on the damages sustained over the past two months, particularly in the city and surrounding areas. Gujranwala Commissioner Naveed Haider Sheerazi, who visited the affected areas, indicated that the Punjab government will be asked to approve financial compensation for those impacted. Efforts are underway to address flooding issues, including the deployment of five heavy pumping motors and additional human resources from Gujranwala to Gujrat. Municipal Corporation and local administration staff are actively engaged in resolving these issues.
Gujrat Deputy Commissioner Safdar Virk, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Khizer Bhatti, and Gujrat Assistant Commissioner Bilal Zubair, among other officials, have also been inspecting the affected areas to assess and mitigate the situation.
