ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) said on Thursday it had arrested a “most wanted” human smuggler accused of sending migrants to Europe via Libya’s dangerous sea route, as authorities intensify a crackdown following deadly boat tragedies involving Pakistanis.
The suspect, identified as Waqas Ali — also known as Waqas Butt — was arrested in Gujrat district and was listed in the interior ministry’s “Red Book” of most-wanted human smugglers, the FIA said in a statement.
Pakistan has faced repeated migrant tragedies on the Libya-Europe route, including a February 2025 boat sinking that killed at least 16 Pakistanis, as well as another incident later that year involving Pakistani survivors.
With four cases against him, the suspect was also wanted for his involvement in these tragedies.
“A human smuggler listed at serial number 84 in the interior ministry’s Red Book, Waqas Ali alias Waqas Butt, has been arrested in Gujrat,” the FIA said.
“The accused was involved in sending citizens to Greece via Libya through illegal sea routes and was wanted in four cases,” it added.
Libya remains a key transit hub for migrants attempting to reach Europe on overcrowded and unsafe boats.
The statement said the suspect had in 2023 collected a total of Rs12 million ($43,100) from four people in exchange for sending them abroad through illegal maritime routes.
One of them died when a migrant boat capsized on the Libya route, the agency said.
Such incidents have prompted Pakistani authorities to step up action against human smuggling networks, while also coordinating with other countries to curb illegal migration and expand legal employment pathways for citizens.
Officials said the suspect had charged large sums from victims and gone into hiding before being tracked down, adding that investigations were being expanded to identify other members of the network.
Pakistan has stepped up enforcement against human smuggling in recent years, with authorities vowing no leniency for networks endangering lives through illegal migration routes.
