Rawalpindi Trafficking Network Exposed: Young Men Trapped in Fake Turkish Jobs

A Rawalpindi trafficking network has been uncovered, revealing a disturbing pattern of deception. Young men from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa believed they were heading for legal jobs. Instead, many ended up trapped in risky migration routes toward Europe.
Over the past two years, agents promised Turkish work permits for skilled and unskilled jobs. However, these promises rarely matched reality. As a result, families lost money, and lives were put at risk.

How the network exploited job seekers

The network mainly operated from Rawalpindi through registered employment promoters and local agents. These agents coordinated with foreign recruiters and staged basic skill tests. Therefore, applicants believed the process was genuine.
After completing paperwork, victims traveled through major Pakistani airports. Once in Turkey, many learned their jobs did not exist. In addition, facilitators quickly connected them to smugglers near European borders.
Agents charged up to Rs1.6 million per person, far above legal visa costs. Most payments went to middlemen working in tribal districts. For example, agents advertised fake jobs like butchers or factory workers to secure approvals.
Some victims worked briefly in factories. Later, smugglers contacted them and demanded more money for border crossings. Consequently, many faced arrests, detention, or dangerous conditions.

Voices of victims and official action

Ateeq Shinwari from Khyber district shared his experience openly. He said agents pushed him toward Bulgaria after arrival. As a result, he spent more than two years in detention.