Libya-bound travellers: Pakistan detains six in overseas job and smuggling cases

Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has announced the detention of six suspects in cases covering the illegal smuggling of migrants, overseas employment fraud and abuse of official authority. Two of those detained are employees of the Multan Electric Power Company (Mepco). The operations were carried out by FIA units in Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan and Bahawalpur from 30 October to 6 November.

Key facts

• Six suspects detained in FIA operations between 30 October and 6 November 2026.
• Areas covered: Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan and Bahawalpur.
• Cases involve migrant smuggling, overseas employment fraud and abuse of official authority.
• One case concerns a man allegedly sent through Nepal to Libya while promised work in Italy.
• Three separate cases involve sums of 1.133 million, 600,000 and 300,000 Pakistani rupees paid for promised work visas.

What does the smuggling case involve?

On 2 November, Zahid Ahmad was detained in Dera Ghazi Khan. The FIA suspects him of organising the illegal smuggling of people to Europe, including Italy, via Libya. The agency said its investigation began after Hammad Ahmad was deported from Libya to Pakistan on 29 October.

According to the FIA, Zahid Ahmad and an accomplice, Rizwan Ahmad Shamas, promised the victim a highly paid job in Italy in October 2025. Investigators claim that instead of arranging the journey legally, they moved the man through Nepal to Libya and handed him over to foreign intermediaries. There he was allegedly unlawfully detained and tortured, and money was demanded from his family. The FIA said about 8.05 million Pakistani rupees were likely obtained from the family through cash payments and bank transfers.

What do the visa fraud cases involve?

The FIA detained Nasir Ahmad in Bahawalpur, whom the agency said had previously been declared wanted. He is suspected of receiving 1.133 million rupees in exchange for a promise of employment and a work visa abroad, and of failing to meet his obligations.

Shabbir Ahmad Pasha was detained in Multan, suspected of receiving 600,000 rupees for promising to arrange a work visa to Romania. Muhammad Akram, from Vehari, was detained in a case involving 300,000 rupees for a visa to Dubai. The FIA claims the promised visas were never issued and the money was not returned.

What about the power company employees?

Separately, the agency detained two Mepco employees: Rao Muhammad Shakir, from the first Mian Channu subdivision, and Line Superintendent I Aamir Mushtaq. They are accused of illegally installing two low-voltage power grid poles, arranging metered connections and facilitating the unauthorised electrification of a residential complex. The investigation is ongoing.

What this means for travellers

The cases described by the FIA centre on payments made in return for promised overseas jobs and work visas that were not delivered, with the money left unreturned. One case also involved a journey routed through Nepal to Libya rather than a legal arrangement, and ended with the traveller being deported from Libya to Pakistan.

No further arrests, charges or court dates have been announced. The FIA said the investigation into the Mepco employees is continuing.