FIA books travel agent for using Umrah pilgrims for drug smuggling

• Umrah pilgrims lodged complaints after their relatives’ arrest in Saudi. 
• Unaware of illicit contents, Umrah pilgrims agreed to carry packages. 
• Suspect shares video message, accepts full responsibility for matter.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) booked a Karachi-based travel agent against allegations of transporting illegal drugs to Saudi Arabia, under the guise of his mother’s critical illness, The News reported. 

FIA’s Human Trafficking Circle registered a case against Abdul Shakoor, also known as Shahzaib Naqshbandi, under suspicion of involvement in the illegal activity. 

The deputy director of the FIA’s Anti-Human Trafficking Circle, Ali Murad Baladi revealed that several Umrah pilgrims from Karachi lodged complaints after some of their relatives were arrested in Saudi Arabia on charges of drug smuggling.

The complainants, including Nazia Nazim, Mahmooda Bano, Niaz Muhammad, and others, reported that Shakoor, a Kharadar-based travel agent, had made their travel arrangements, including visas, tickets, and accommodation, for Rs265,000 per person.

Upon reaching the airport, Shakoor and his accomplice, Junaid, allegedly approached the pilgrims and claimed that the former’s mother was critically ill in Saudi Arabia. They pleaded with the pilgrims to deliver medicine packets to help save her life, asserting that the necessary medicines were unavailable in the Kingdom. The pilgrims, unaware of the illicit contents, agreed to carry the packages.

However, upon arrival at the Saudi Arabian airport, several of the pilgrims — including Nazim Khan, Sameer, and Khurram Ameen — were arrested for smuggling drugs and are currently imprisoned in Saudi jails.

The FIA, after consolidating all the complaints, initiated an inquiry that uncovered significant evidence against Shakoor and his accomplice, Junaid.

A formal case (No 311/24) has been registered, and authorities are conducting raids to apprehend the accused.

Attempts were made to contact via mobile phone numbers of the accused, but the numbers were switched off. Efforts to reach Shakoor’s father and brother on their phone numbers were also unsuccessful.

In connection with this case, in a video of the accused, Shakoor alias Shahzaib — which has been received by a correspondent of Daily Jang —he accepts full responsibility for the matter. However, he placed the blame on another accomplice, stating that the medicines had been sent to Saudi Arabia by them. He also claimed that the other staff at his office had no knowledge of the matter.

According to FIA officials, Shakoor was summoned multiple times during the investigation, and efforts were also made to contact him at his office, but he was unavailable.