Islamabad by EHSAN BUKHARI Special Reporter
Due to negligence in anti-human trafficking efforts, a major scam involving technical trade centers and overseas promoters in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi has come to light. These promoters are reportedly cheating citizens by promising overseas jobs and visas, but instead extorting lakhs of rupees in various fees.
According to sources, overseas promoters send people to Gulf countries such as Qatar, Dubai, Sharjah, and other Arab nations for different trades. These promoters, in collusion with the FIA (Federal Investigation Agency), are reportedly charging thousands of rupees per person under the pretext of issuing work visas for two individuals per applicant.
Sources further revealed that several trade centers in Rawalpindi and Islamabad exploit the cover of issuing 200 work visas, swindling lakhs of rupees from citizens in the name of various fees. Shockingly, FIA’s Anti-Human Trafficking department staff are also reportedly involved, taking hefty commissions from these promoters.
Many unemployed youth, hoping to improve their futures and provide better lives for their families, gather their savings and approach these centers only to be exploited. They are forced to pay hefty medical and other fees to the promoters and FIA officials, but often their work visas never materialize. Many are intimidated and sent back without any support.
Citizens and youth who appeared for tests and interviews told Capital News Point that this entire scam is a coordinated effort, with millions of rupees collected in fees. They stated that although work visas come in different categories, around 2,500 youths queue daily for tests and interviews, which has become a matter of grave concern for the FIA Director.
