Pakistani ‘Geo News’ reported on Wednesday that 22 people claimed to be a professional football team and departed from Sialkot Airport in Pakistan to Japan. However, Japanese authorities doubted the authenticity of their documents upon arrival. The channel explained that Japanese authorities conducted immediate investigations and found all the documents to be forged, leading to their immediate deportation back to Pakistan. A spokesperson for the FIA stated that ‘the individuals were trained on how to act and appear professional, including dressing, movements, and behaviors at airports, to enhance their fake sports cover.’ Investigations revealed the involvement of a man named Malik Waqas, who registered a fake club called ‘Golden Football Trial’ and used it as a front for human trafficking. He charged each person 4 million Pakistani rupees (approximately $14,000) to smuggle them abroad. Malik Waqas forged multiple documents, including fake support letters from the Pakistan Football Federation and false documents from the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He admitted to sending 17 men to Japan in January 2024 using the same method, forming a fake football team and exploiting it as a cover for human trafficking.
Previously, Pakistan announced that 3 million Afghans still reside within its borders, including 1,344,584 individuals with proof of registration cards, 807,402 with cards, and another million Afghans living illegally without any documentation. Pakistan affirmed it would ensure that Afghans do not return after deportation.
