Pakistan deports 63 foreign nationals over visa violations, illegal cyber activities

Profit reported that Pakistan has deported 63 foreign nationals for visa violations and alleged unlawful activity, including 36 Vietnamese, 26 Chinese and one Malaysian citizen. The Federal Investigation Agency's Anti-Human Trafficking Cell carried out the removals after legal proceedings, and every person has been sent home. Each of the 63 has also been added to the national foreign blacklist, which bars them from returning to the country.

A spokesperson for the FIA said the group had been held over alleged roles in making and circulating sexually explicit material and other unlawful conduct. The removals form part of a wider drive against hidden call centres in major cities such as Islamabad, where joint operations by the FIA, the NCCIA and local police have exposed networks posing as legitimate businesses. Investigators allege some foreigners, a few of them on visit or business visas, were recruited for online financial fraud, gambling and extortion targeting people abroad.

A specialised multi-agency task force has been set up at FIA headquarters to tackle these operations. Hundreds of other foreign nationals linked to similar activity remain in judicial custody or face deportation while investigations continue.