Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency has arrested two suspected human traffickers in Gwadar for arranging illegal sea crossings to Iran and exploiting people desperate for work abroad.
The FIA’s Composite Circle Gwadar carried out the operation after several victims identified the suspects. According to officials, the accused were charging Rs10,000 per person for the perilous journey across the sea route. Authorities believe the two men were part of a larger smuggling network operating in Balochistan’s coastal belt.
The arrests are part of a wider campaign against human traffickers using Balochistan as a key transit point. Just last week, FIA teams in Taftan and Loralai detained five individuals accused of facilitating illegal travel to Iran and Türkiye through forged documents and fraudulent schemes. Investigators say such networks often lure vulnerable people from poor backgrounds with promises of safe passage and better opportunities overseas, only to expose them to unsafe and exploitative conditions.
With its vast coastline and porous borders, Balochistan has become a hotspot for human smuggling. Gwadar, a major port city, is frequently used as a departure point for those attempting to cross into Iran before continuing toward Turkey and ultimately Europe. Experts note that economic hardship, unemployment and lack of legal migration channels push many Pakistanis into the hands of traffickers. Each year, thousands attempt illegal crossings in hopes of reaching jobs abroad, despite the serious risks of drowning, arrest or exploitation.
The FIA has urged citizens not to fall prey to traffickers who promise “shortcuts” to foreign destinations. Officials said those rescued or identified as victims will be provided assistance, while strict legal action will be taken against the networks exploiting them. Authorities are also appealing to the public for information on smuggling rings, emphasizing that cooperation is vital to break the chain of illegal migration in the region.
Despite frequent operations, human trafficking remains a persistent challenge in Pakistan. Analysts argue that enforcement needs to be paired with awareness campaigns and safer, legal migration opportunities. Until then, traffickers are likely to keep preying on vulnerable communities desperate for economic survival.
