22 Pakistani Citizens Repatriated from Japan Over Fake Football Team

Japanese immigration authorities have identified and sent back 22 Pakistani nationals who had been sent to Japan under the guise of a football team. Following their repatriation, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested the individuals involved.

Upon arrival in Japan, the group claimed to be registered players with the Pakistan Football Federation and insisted they had a scheduled match with a Japanese club. However, Japanese authorities, after scrutinising their documents and fabricated stories, found the evidence to be fraudulent.

The FIA revealed that the primary suspect, Waqas Gujranwala, had created a fictitious football club called “Golden Football Trial”. His associate, Ali Gujranwala, was also arrested from the Composite Circle area. An FIA spokesperson stated, “The arrests of Waqas and Ali represent a significant breakthrough in dismantling this human trafficking network.”

Investigations have shown that the network collected approximately PKR 4 million from each candidate. The individuals were trained to behave like professional footballers and were provided with forged documentation. Waqas admitted that in January 2024, he had employed the same method to send 17 other individuals to Japan.

This incident highlights the ongoing challenge of illegal overseas migration from Pakistan, with many migrants risking their lives in the process. To address human trafficking and migration-related issues, Pakistan has recently launched the United Nations Migration Network.

Fake Football Migration Case Overview

The case underscores the risks faced by individuals attempting illegal migration and the importance of coordinated efforts between national authorities and international bodies to combat human trafficking.