FIA foils human trafficking attempt at Faisalabad airport

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has foiled an alleged attempt to traffic a 13-year-old girl to Saudi Arabia through an Umrah visa after her marriage certificate was found to be fake at Faisalabad Airport.

According to FIA officials, the girl, Hira Firdous, a resident of Burewala, was being sent to Saudi Arabia under the guise of travelling for Umrah.

During inspection and verification of her travel documents, officials found that her marriage certificate was fake. The alleged main agent, identified as Zahid, was arrested at the airport.

The FIA registered a case and nominated three people, including Zahid, nikah registrar Anees, who allegedly solemnised the fake marriage, and Fayyaz, the alleged husband residing in Saudi Arabia.

According to officials, Hira told investigators that she had been forcibly married and did not want to return either to her parents or her alleged in-laws.

The FIA has launched a further investigation and raids are being conducted to arrest the other nominated suspects.