The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Composite Circle Gwadar has arrested 14 suspects allegedly involved in attempting to travel illegally from Pakistan to Iran via sea routes. The arrests were made during a series of targeted operations near Jiwani, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
According to the FIA spokesperson, the detained individuals belong to various districts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Four of the suspects are residents of Gujranwala, while two others come from Faisalabad and Hafizabad. The remaining eight belong to different districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including five from Lower Dir and three from Swabi, Mardan, and Malakand.
FIA officials said the suspects were intercepted while preparing to leave Pakistan’s coastline on small boats destined for Iran. Early investigations reveal that the group intended to use Iran as a transit point for further illegal travel to other countries. Authorities believe the suspects were attempting to reach Europe or the Middle East through human-smuggling networks.
The FIA spokesperson stated that the agency is actively cracking down on individuals and networks involved in human smuggling and illegal border crossings. “All available resources are being used to track, identify, and arrest those attempting to exploit vulnerable people or violate border regulations,” the spokesperson said.
A case has been registered against all 14 suspects under relevant human smuggling and immigration laws. Investigators have begun questioning the detainees to identify facilitators, agents, and wider networks operating in the region. Officials say more arrests are expected as the inquiry progresses.
The FIA has intensified surveillance in coastal areas, particularly Gwadar and Jiwani, which are frequently used by human-smuggling groups attempting to transport people through risky sea routes. Authorities have warned that such illegal journeys pose serious risks, including drowning, exploitation, and detention in foreign countries.
Pakistan has seen a surge in attempts to cross into Iran illegally in recent years, often driven by economic hardship and the hope of reaching Europe through dangerous routes controlled by international trafficking rings.
The FIA emphasized that the crackdown will continue until human-smuggling networks are dismantled and illegal maritime movements are brought under control.
