Gujranwala – In a dramatic crackdown on human trafficking networks, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Gujranwala Zone has arrested a suspected agent accused of orchestrating elaborate schemes to smuggle people into Japan under the guise of football players.
According to FIA officials, the suspect, Mr. Waqas Ali, a resident of Pasroor, Sialkot, was taken into custody on September 15. Authorities allege that Ali exploited Pakistan’s love for football as a cover, creating fake documents and credentials to send dozens of individuals abroad on fraudulent sports visas.
Investigators revealed that Ali, in collusion with 17 individuals, managed to obtain 15-day visit visas to Japan, supposedly on the invitation of Boavista Football Club. He allegedly forged an official registration letter from the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) as well as a counterfeit no-objection certificate (NOC) purportedly issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Each “player” reportedly paid between Rs 4 million and Rs 4.5 million for the promise of a future in Japanese football. Instead, they traveled to Japan on January 1, 2024—and never returned.
FIA Gujranwala Director Muhammad Bin Ashraf confirmed that a formal case has been registered against Ali, and further investigation is underway.
This is not the first time the suspect’s name has surfaced. Earlier this year, Ali was also nominated in another case involving the attempted trafficking of a 22-member fake football team to Japan on June 15, 2025. Japanese immigration authorities swiftly detected the ruse and deported the group upon arrival, alerting FIA to the racket.
The case has exposed how human traffickers are increasingly using unconventional covers—such as sports teams—to exploit aspiring migrants and evade detection. FIA has vowed to pursue the investigation to uncover the full network behind the scam.
It is equally important to determine how such a large group was able to secure visa appointments. I hope the FIA will also investigate those involved in facilitating these appointments.
BY: Nadeem Faisal Baiga
