Category: Lahore

Lahore: Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Gujranwala Zone claimed on Wednesday to have arrested four criminals including a notorious human trafficker for their alleged involvement in Libya boat tragedy. According to FIA spokesperson, the suspects- Imran Hussain aka Mani, Muhammad Ijaz, Imran Saqib and Rizwan Khadim, involved in illegally sending innocent citizens abroad were arrested from various parts of Gujranwala and Gujrat. Imran Hussain aka Mani, a key figure in the Libya boat tragedy, had been listed among the most wanted human traffickers in the FIA's Red Book. He was a member of an international human trafficking syndicate, with six cases registered against him at the Composite Circle Gujrat. The spokesperson added that Imran extorted Rs 2.4 million from each of six victims of the Libya boat tragedy. He sent them from Pakistan to Egypt, Dubai, and then Libya on visit visas. In Libya, the victims were held in safe houses before being sent to Europe by boat. Tragically, all the victims perished in the boat accident. Another trafficker Muhammad Ijaz extorted 900 Euros and Rs 900,000 from a citizen by promising a job in Italy. Imran Saqib received Rs 3.7 million from the complainant, promising jobs in Germany for the victim's sons, but instead he sent them to Saudi Arabia. In Saudi Arabia, the victims were subjected to torture, and the traffickers continued to demand huge amount of money. Rizwan Khadim, another trafficker extorted Rs 2.7 million from a victim to send him to Spain for employment but failed to fulfill the promise. He then went into hiding after taking the money. The arrested individuals are under investigation. Raids were being conducted to arrest other suspects involved in the racket, he added. Director Gujranwala Zone Abdul Qadir Qamar said that all available resources were being utilized to apprehend the suspects.

Lahore: The Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) participated in 17 major international expos across the globe in 2024, showcasing high-quality Pakistani furniture and craftsmanship to boost exports.

Chairing first board of directors meeting of the year here on Wednesday, CEO PFC Mian Kashif Ashfaq said these expos provided an excellent platform to project the diversity, durability, and unique designs of Pakistani furniture, attracting buyers and investors from various countries.

He said: " Through participation we successfully promoted Pakistan's traditional and contemporary furniture, including handmade woodwork and modern designs, which resonated with global markets". The council's efforts aimed at fostering trade links, exploring new markets, and enhancing the visibility of Pakistan's furniture industry internationally.

He said exhibitions not only strengthened Pakistan's trade relationships with other countries but also helped generate valuable export orders, contributing significantly to the national economy. The PFC remained committed to promoting local artisans and expanding the country's footprint in the global furniture market, he concluded.