The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has apprehended 257 individuals attempting to travel illegally to Iran by sea during December 2025, authorities reported on Friday. The arrests were carried out by the FIA Composite Circle in Gwadar as part of an ongoing crackdown on human trafficking and unlawful border crossings.

According to FIA officials, the detained individuals hailed from various provinces, including Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan. Of the total arrests, 142 were from Punjab, 12 from Sindh, and 63 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The operation also led to the detention of 34 foreign nationals, comprising 30 Afghans, two Bangladeshis, and two Iranians.

The suspects were intercepted at Jiwani while reportedly planning to travel from Iran to other countries through illegal channels. FIA authorities confirmed that a case has been registered against the detainees, and an investigation is underway to dismantle the network facilitating human trafficking and illicit cross-border movements.

The agency emphasized that all available resources are being deployed to trace and apprehend additional suspects involved in these illegal activities. The operation highlights Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to secure its borders and combat human trafficking in the region.