KARACHI: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Anti-Human Trafficking Circle Karachi has uncovered a major international syndicate involved in trafficking underprivileged women to Gulf states under the guise of employment at salons and beauty parlors. Following a successful raid, the agency arrested a key operative identified as Haziq Memon, who was reportedly responsible for scouting and facilitating the travel of victims from rural Sindh.
The Modus Operandi
According to FIA investigators, the gang specifically targeted women from low-income families in rural Sindh and Punjab, promising them lucrative salaries of up to PKR 600,000 per month for legitimate salon work. However, upon arrival in Dubai and other Gulf regions, the victims were forced to work in dance bars and subjected to physical and sexual exploitation. The investigation revealed a sinister blackmailing tactic where hidden cameras were installed in the victims’ rooms to record compromising videos. These videos were then used to threaten the women and their families if they refused to comply or tried to escape.
How the Case Surfaced
The breakthrough occurred at the Jinnah International Airport, Karachi. Immigration staff intercepted a woman whose behavior seemed suspicious. Upon being offloaded and questioned, the victim broke down, revealing that she was being coerced into returning to Dubai. She narrated her ordeal of being trapped in a “quagmire” after discovering that the promised salon job was actually a front for a dance bar.
Arrest and Investigation
Investigating Officer Masroor stated that the suspect, Haziq Memon, was traced through the victim’s mobile phone data and apprehended in Hyderabad. While Memon claimed to be a property dealer who was merely assisting with immigration facilities, he admitted to having knowledge that the women were being sent to dance clubs, though he denied involvement in the blackmailing aspect.
Wider Network Suspected
The FIA is currently investigating whether this network extends beyond the Gulf states. This arrest follows a recent recovery of 33 women from hotels in the Saddar area who were scheduled to be trafficked to Dubai. The court has granted a two-day physical remand of the suspect for further interrogation, while raids are being conducted to arrest the remaining members of the syndicate, including the primary female agent.
