FIA Offloads Passengers at Multan Airport in Crackdown on Umrah Visa Violations
In a significant operation, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) offloaded eight passengers at Multan Airport who were traveling to Saudi Arabia on Umrah visas. The passengers were found carrying 900 packets of cigarettes and other prohibited items.
Additionally, FIA officials reported that each passenger had less than 500 riyals (approximately Rs 37,000), which is below the required amount for travel.
In an earlier incident, eight women passengers were removed from a Saudi Arabia-bound flight at Multan Airport. An FIA immigration spokesperson stated that the women were allegedly traveling to Saudi Arabia for begging. The women, identified as Sobia, Khadija, Aasia, Saira, Sajda, Salma, Sameena, and Naghma, are natives of Bahawalnagar. Each woman was found with only 200 Saudi Riyals.
The women were transferred to the FIA’s Anti-Human Trafficking Circle in Multan for further legal action.
This incident follows a similar operation last December when the FIA offloaded nine alleged beggars, disguised as Umrah pilgrims, from a flight at Multan International Airport. The group included six women and two men who failed to provide hotel bookings for their stay in Saudi Arabia.
The FIA spokesperson emphasized that strict monitoring is underway to prevent such activities and dismantle begging gangs.
