Imran Khan’s next big test – a high-profile human trafficking scandal

Prime Minister Imran Khan is in a difficult position.

In the next few days, he has to make a decision regarding the arrest of a Grade-21 officer, who is wanted by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in a high-profile human trafficking case.

The person, wanted by the FIA, is currently posted in a rival agency. Both come under the ministry of interior, a portfolio held by the prime minister himself.

These days, there is a quiet tussle ongoing between the two agencies over the officer, who had previously served in the FIA where he was also promoted. One wonders, why an officer wanted by the FIA was promoted?

Human trafficking is a serious and grave violation of human rights. Such exploitations, through air, sea and land grew rapidly after the first Afghan war, when the Soviets invaded Afghanistan. In mid-80s, the United States, in a confidential document named at least four officers of two investigative and intelligence agencies -I have a copy of the document - allegedly involved in smuggling people to the US from the Karachi airport.

Despite the report, no one investigated the officers.

Today, the bulk of human trafficking is being transited from the Benazir International Airport in Islamabad. In the last four years, over 10,000 people had travelled on fake passports and visas. The smugglers work in cahoots with immigration officers and those sitting in the FIA headquarters.

A trail was first established in 2014. Back then, the British High Commission informed Pakistan that damaged Pakistani passports had been recovered in the dustbin of an airport in London. A probe further revealed that these passengers had travelled from Islamabad on a PIA flight, PK-785.

Pakistan ignored the warning. But British authorities sounded an alert and kept a close eye on flights incoming from Pakistan. After a while, they successfully arrested a Pakistani man and some Afghans, red-handed as they were throwing away their passports.

Britain again insisted Pakistan be more cognizant. They even arrested a key handler, who would travel between Pakistan and the UK, transporting people. He was convicted by a British court to four years in prison.

“Most traffickers, who travel from Islamabad on fake passports, often go to the UK or Spain,” a senior investigator told me.

An investigation in Pakistan revealed that people with fraudulent travel documents have easily passed through immigration counters. Officials, using the Civil Aviation Authority’s CCTV cameras, would help the passengers board their flights.

In 2017, the FIA's new command ordered a high-level inquiry as the pressure from Britain build-up. During the probe, the team detected that a large amount transferred from a human smuggler’s account into that of a FIA inspector. According to those privy to the development, the investigation has now been completed. The trafficking ring, of five people, has been identified. These men would get airline tickets with the assistance of some FIA officials.

A senior FIA officer, involved in the investigation, disclosed they need to now arrest the key player, but he is very powerful. The file, calling for his arrest, is now before the prime minister.

Another source told me that a lobby within the PM House is trying to misguide Khan regarding the nature of the probe and the alleged involvement of the officer.

Pakistan and the UK have signed an MOU for the exchange of prisoners and for closer cooperation to check financial crime like money laundering and human trafficking. Yet, despite Britain’s repeated warnings, Pakistan has been lacklustre in its response.

This is a major test for Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been advocating his government’s strong resolve against money laundering, and other heinous crimes like human trafficking.

Abbas is a senior columnist and analyst of GEO, The News and Jang. He tweets @MazharAbbasGEO

Note: The views expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Geo News or the Jang Group.