Reports Suggest Kidnapped Pakistani Youths Now Stuck in Turkey

Twelve Pakistani youths en route to Italy via the “Dunki” route have reportedly been kidnapped after reaching Iran, with their families losing contact. Demands for money are now being made from a phone number belonging to one of the youths, Waqas.

Seven of the kidnapped youths are residents of the Yasir area of Lahore, and among them are three cousins: Dilshad, Asamar, and Waqas. An agent named Amir reportedly took millions of rupees from the families and facilitated their journey. The agent has sent distressing videos of three of the youths to their families, in which they are seen crying and pleading for money to be arranged. The agent is now demanding an additional six thousand dollars for each youth and has threatened severe consequences if the money is not paid.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has registered three cases in Lahore based on the families’ requests, under sections related to human smuggling, kidnapping, and extortion. The FIA’s Human Trafficking Circle is investigating the matter and has contacted its office in Iran. Officials are working to identify the agent’s location, and FIA Lahore is conducting raids to apprehend the agent’s accomplices. The accused agent is reportedly in contact with the families from Iran, continuing to issue threats.

Pakistan News will update this story as more confirmed details become available.