New Delhi : Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has busted a human trafficking ring in which men disguised as professional footballers attempted to illegally enter Japan, officials said. Twenty-two suspects, all claiming to be players, were arrested after Japanese authorities exposed the fraud. Japanese immigration officers grew suspicious during questioning, leading to the group’s deportation back to Pakistan.
Investigators traced the scheme to Malik Waqas, a resident of Pasroor in Sialkot, who reportedly floated a fake football club called Golden Football Trial. Waqas allegedly charged between Rs 4 million and Rs 4.5 million from each aspirant for the trip. The FIA’s Composite Circle in Gujranwala arrested him on September 15, and multiple cases have been filed against him.
Officials said this was not Waqas’s first attempt at trafficking through the same method. Pakistan cricket has currently found itself involved in a spat with India after they suffered a crushing defeat in the Asia Cup. The tension between the two nations escalated as India skipped the customary post-match handshake after emerging triumphant.
In the aftermath of the incident, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) alleged that match referee Andy Pycroft of Zimbabwe asked both captains not to shake hands during the toss. Further, they threatened to boycott the match against the UAE if Pycroft officiates in the fixture. India captain Suryakumar Yadav dedicated the victory to the armed forces of the country. Perfect occasion, taking the time out, we stand by the victims and their families of the Pahalgam terror attack. We express our solidarity. Want to dedicate the win to all our armed forces who showed a lot of bravery.
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