FIA Offloads Mother, Two Daughters at Karachi Airport Over Suspected Trafficking of Minor

Girl, 16-17, alleges sexual exploitation in UAE clubs and hotels; agent’s WhatsApp chats and bank transactions recovered

Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Immigration unit at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport has offloaded three women passengers — two sisters and their mother — over grave suspicions of human trafficking and the alleged sexual exploitation of a minor girl.

During a detailed examination of their travel documents and the purpose of their journey to the United Arab Emirates, immigration officials developed serious concerns that led to the passengers being taken off their flight.

The women — identified as Maira, Alisha and their mother Beena — were questioned at length about the purpose of their travel and the arrangements behind it. During the interview, Maira stated her age as approximately 16 to 17 years and alleged that her parents had shown her age as higher in her passport and identity documents.

She further claimed that she had been drawn into sexual activities at clubs and hotels in the United Arab Emirates.

A preliminary probe of the mother’s mobile phone uncovered WhatsApp conversations with an alleged agent, Haris, discussing arrangements for visas, air tickets and travel expenses. The messages also referred to raising the girls’ monthly income to Rs 600,000 and mentioned other girls — claims that still require verification and forensic examination.

According to available information, the alleged agent financially backed the passengers’ travel plans. A bank transaction receipt of Rs 400,000 was also found on the mother’s phone, allegedly transferred to the account of their father, Maqsood Ali. Investigators are now probing the nature and purpose of these financial dealings and their possible link to the alleged activities.

The scrutiny also brought to light information about the agent Haris, the travel agency involved, travel documents, bank accounts and digital evidence stored on mobile phones.

Authorities have termed it essential to identify other potential victim girls, trace financial connections and past travel arrangements, and verify the roles of everyone involved, including the parents.

Given the gravity of the case, all three passengers have been handed over to the FIA’s anti-human-trafficking authorities for further verification, forensic analysis of digital evidence and legal proceedings.

Investigations continue into the alleged human trafficking, the possible sexual exploitation of the minor girl and the role of facilitators.