The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested at least 10 individuals at Karachi Airport on Saturday, accusing them of planning to travel to Saudi Arabia under the guise of performing Umrah but allegedly intending to engage in begging.

The FIA spokespersons in a statement disclosed that the arrested group included seven women – identified as Muhammad Nawaz, Rahmatullah, Nizamuddin, Sugra Khatoon, Hazira Khatoon, Imam Zadi, Marvi Khatoon, Mai Amiran, Zareena, and Mai Khanal and an agent believed to have organized the trip for them.

The detainees, reportedly from Rahim Yar Khan, Tando Allahyar, and Sukkur, were set to travel to Saudi Arabia on Umrah visas.

READ: Nine ‘beggers’ bound to travel Saudi Arabia arrested at Airport

According to the FIA, initial investigations revealed that Muhammad Nawaz, posing as a relative of the group, was coordinating the travel arrangements and handling their documents.

The FIA stated that the group lacked knowledge of Umrah rituals and had not made any accommodation bookings and failed to provide relevant documentation or funds necessary for their travel, raising suspicions about their true intentions to the authorities leading to the arrest.

The suspects have been handed over to the FIA’s Anti-Human Smuggling Circle in Karachi, where further legal action and investigations are underway.

Source: The Express Tribune