(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Fake Football Team Scandal: 22 Pakistanis Deported Over Human Trafficking Attempt to Japan
Pakistan has been shaken by a human trafficking case linked to sports, after authorities intercepted a fake football team attempting to enter Japan illegally.
According to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), 22 Pakistanis were deported, and the alleged ringleader, Malik Waqas, has been arrested.
The FIA reported that the group departed from Sialkot International Airport using forged documents, including fake registrations from the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) and fabricated papers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Their travel documents falsely claimed the team was on an official sporting assignment in Japan.
Malik Waqas operated under a fictitious club called Golden Football Trial, reportedly charging each participant around Rs4 million. During interrogation, Waqas admitted to a similar scheme in January 2024, which sent 17 Pakistanis abroad using fake sports credentials.
While athletes absconding on foreign trips has happened before in Pakistan, this case highlights a growing trend of traffickers exploiting the country’s love for sports to facilitate illegal migration. With tightened border controls, traffickers are increasingly creating fake sports delegations to bypass scrutiny.
The incident also exposes vulnerabilities within Pakistan’s sports institutions, which have struggled with credibility issues due to years of mismanagement and corruption.
Authorities stress the need for stronger oversight of sports federations and improved coordination with immigration agencies. Experts say restoring integrity in sports administration is vital — not only to protect Pakistan’s reputation but also to ensure legitimate athletes are not affected by criminal schemes.
