FIA foils Europe smuggling bid under cover of Umrah visa

LAHORE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Jul, 2026) The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Immigration Wing on Saturday intercepted a Pakistani national deported from Libya for allegedly attempting to travel to Italy through an illegal human smuggling network,officials said.

According to an FIA spokesperson,Salman Akhtar was taken into custody upon his arrival at Lahore airport after being deported by Libyan authorities.

He was subsequently handed over to the FIA Anti-Human Trafficking Circle,Lahore for further legal proceedings.

The spokesperson said initial investigation revealed that Salman had travelled to Saudi Arabia on an Umrah visa along with his mother and grandfather.

After performing Umrah,he allegedly separated from his family and traveled to Egypt and later Libya through an agent in an attempt to enter Europe illegally.

The FIA claimed that Salman had paid Rs.4.3 million to an agent identified as Riyasat,r/o Sheikhupura,who allegedly promised to facilitate his entry into Italy.

According to the agency,the suspect was intercepted by Libyan police before he could travel to Italy by boat and was later deported to Pakistan.

The FIA said further investigation was underway to trace the alleged human smuggling network and proceed against those involved.