The immigration wing of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has offloaded three passengers from a United Arab Emirates (UAE)-bound flight at the Jinnah International Airport, preventing an attempt to traffic a woman for sexual exploitation.

According to an FIA spokesperson, the operation uncovered an organised network involved in human smuggling and sexual exploitation. The passengers included the victim, identified as Sumaira, and two suspected traffickers, namely Nosheen Ishaq and her husband Jamshed Iqbal, who were attempting to take the victim to the UAE. 

Following the victim’s identification, two additional facilitators, Asim and Noman, were also taken into custody.

The FIA said the victim had been recruited by a woman named Shamila through Facebook and WhatsApp, where she was lured with the promise of a monthly salary of Rs150,000.

Shamila, along with Nosheen and Jamshed, allegedly arranged the victim’s travel to the UAE and had previously sent several women abroad under similar circumstances.

During a raid at Shamila’s flat in Karachi’s Azam, officials recovered mobile phones containing WhatsApp conversations, photographs and records of financial transactions.

Investigators said Asim and Noman provided logistical assistance, including travel arrangements and transportation.

All suspects have been handed over to the FIA Anti-Human Trafficking Circle in Karachi for further probe.