FIA Deport 20 Chinese Nationals Held in Islamabad Call Centre Case
The Chinese nationals, earlier detained from a call-centre setup in an Islamabad-area plaza, were deported over alleged violations of their declared visa conditions and have also been placed on the blacklist, according to information provided to Islamabad Tribune.
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has deported another 20 Chinese nationals detained in connection with an Islamabad call-centre case, as authorities continue legal and immigration proceedings against foreign nationals accused of operating beyond the permitted scope of their visas.
According to information provided to Islamabad Tribune, the 20 Chinese citizens have been sent back to their home country and their names have also been placed on the blacklist, restricting their future entry into Pakistan.
The individuals had earlier been detained from a call-centre setup at a plaza in the Islamabad area. Authorities maintain that foreign nationals found at the premises were engaged in activities inconsistent with the purposes declared under their respective visa categories.
Hundreds of Foreign Nationals Detained
The latest deportations are part of a broader operation involving hundreds of foreign nationals. Earlier reporting established that the FIA’s Anti-Human Trafficking Cell had detained 258 foreigners during a raid on a plaza in a private housing society, while a separate NCCIA action at the premises resulted in the detention of another 114 foreigners. Those detained included nationals of China, Vietnam, Indonesia and other countries.
Authorities said the foreign nationals had entered Pakistan under visit, tourist or business visa categories, while their activities at the call-centre-style premises allegedly did not correspond with the stated purposes of those visas.
The latest action follows the earlier deportation of 14 Vietnamese nationals. Reporting at the time indicated that authorities planned to deport the detained foreigners in phases and blacklist those being removed from the country.
The wider investigation has included allegations concerning online commercial activities conducted through call centres. However, allegations relating to specific unlawful online conduct should be treated as investigative claims unless and until established through the relevant legal process. The deportation action described here concerns alleged violations of visa conditions.
Further deportations could follow as authorities complete immigration and legal formalities involving the remaining foreign nationals.
