KARACHI: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) offloaded a mother and her two daughters at Jinnah International Airport on Friday over suspected human trafficking and concerns about the alleged sexual exploitation of a minor, an FIA spokesperson said.
The three passengers were scheduled to travel to Dubai. During questioning, one daughter, identified as Maira, said she was around 16 to 17 years old and alleged that her age had been overstated in her passport and identity documents.
According to the FIA, investigators also found WhatsApp conversations on the mother’s phone with an alleged agent discussing visa arrangements, air tickets and travel expenses. The messages reportedly referred to increasing the girls’ monthly earnings to Rs600,000, though the contents remain subject to verification.
Officials also found a receipt for a Rs400,000 bank transaction reportedly transferred to an account belonging to the girls’ father.
The FIA is examining the travel documents, financial transactions, digital evidence and the possible involvement of the parents, the alleged agent and the travel agency. Further inquiries will also seek to determine whether other girls may have been affected.