LAHORE : The Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Anti-Human Trafficking Circle has launched a full-scale investigation into the alleged disappearance of 12 young men who were promised safe passage to Italy but are now believed to have been kidnapped by human smugglers.
According to FIA officials, three separate cases have been registered against the accused involved in the incident—numbered 672/26, 673/26, and 674/26—which include charges of human trafficking, kidnapping, and other legal provisions. Special teams have been constituted to arrest the perpetrators, and raids are reportedly underway at multiple locations across the city.
FIA authorities stated that all available resources are being utilized to recover the missing youths. Officials are also coordinating with relevant institutions abroad to trace the victims’ movements after they left Pakistani territory.
“Action is being taken against the elements involved in this heinous incident, and efforts have been intensified for the safe recovery of the youths,” said a spokesperson for the FIA Lahore zone.
The ordeal came to light when families of the missing youths filed an application with the FIA, appealing to the government for urgent help. According to family members, the 12 young men were attempting to reach Italy via an illegal route when they were allegedly taken captive by human smugglers. Seven of the victims belong to Bassein village in Lahore.
Among the missing are three cousins—Dilshad, Osama, and Waqas—who were lured by a local agent named Aamir, also a resident of the same area. The agent had taken the youths along with millions of rupees in fees, promising them a boat journey to Italy. The families said the youths were in contact after reaching Iran, but communication was abruptly severed soon after.
In a harrowing development, the agent reportedly sent the families distressing footage of three of the youths, in which they are seen with chains tied around their necks, crying and pleading for their families to send more money. One family member confirmed that ransom demands are now being made from Waqas’s mobile number.
The affected families revealed that an initial payment of Rs 10 lakh per youth had already been made to the agent. However, they are now being threatened with dire consequences unless an additional $6,000 (approximately Rs 17 lakh) is paid for each young man.
“We are being told that if the money is not sent, the consequences will be serious,” a distraught relative said, urging the government to intervene immediately.
The FIA has assured the families that no effort will be spared in bringing the culprits to justice and securing the safe return of the kidnapped youths. Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.
