KARACHI: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has stopped a mother and her two daughters from travelling to Dubai from Karachi after immigration officials raised concerns about suspected human trafficking and the possible sexual exploitation of a minor.
According to an FIA spokesperson, the three passengers were offloaded at Jinnah International Airport on Friday after officials scrutinised their travel documents and questioned them about the purpose of their visit.
During questioning, one of the daughters, identified as Maira, stated that she was between 16 and 17 years old. She alleged that her parents had deliberately recorded her age as higher than her actual age in her passport and other identity documents.
She also claimed to have been involved in sexual activities at clubs and hotels in the United Arab Emirates, prompting further scrutiny by immigration authorities.
The preliminary inquiry reportedly uncovered WhatsApp conversations on the mother’s mobile phone with a man identified as Haris, who is suspected of acting as an agent.
According to the FIA, the messages contained discussions about visa processing, air tickets and travel expenses. Some conversations also referred to raising the girls’ monthly earnings to Rs600,000 and mentioned other girls. Officials said the contents required further verification and forensic examination.
Investigators further alleged that the suspected agent had helped finance the family’s travel arrangements. A bank transaction receipt for Rs400,000 was also reportedly recovered from the mother’s phone, showing a transfer to an account belonging to the girls’ father, identified as Maqsood Ali.
Authorities are investigating the purpose of the transaction and whether it was connected to the suspected exploitation or other unlawful activities.
The FIA is also examining the suspected agent’s background, the travel agency involved, the passengers’ documents, relevant bank accounts and digital records recovered from the mobile phones.
Investigators will attempt to determine whether additional girls were affected and establish the respective roles, if any, of the parents, the alleged agent and other suspected facilitators.
The passengers are being referred to the FIA’s Anti-Human Trafficking Circle (AHTC) for further questioning, forensic analysis of digital evidence and possible legal proceedings.
The agency said its investigation into suspected human trafficking, the alleged sexual exploitation of a minor and the possible involvement of other individuals was continuing.
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