In a shocking revelation, recent reports have surfaced accusing a senior diplomat of the Pakistani Foreign Ministry of direct involvement in human trafficking. While Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been lauded for awarding Rs. 01 million each to officers instrumental in apprehending human traffickers, this matter should be take serious for Pakistan’s diplomatic integrity.
The case in question revolves around Pakistan’s Ambassador to Serbia, Ali Haider Altaf, and his alleged facilitation of human trafficking under the guise of employment opportunities in Europe. Documents obtained by sources suggest that Ambassador Altaf played a key role in assisting a private company, HighReach, owned by Ms. Saleha Rajput and Mr. Sajid Mumtaz, in securing visas for 40 women under suspicious circumstances.
Names of 40 Women:
The scandal reportedly began in March 2024, when advertisements were placed in newspapers offering job opportunities for female farm workers in Europe. The offer promised a salary of €600 (approximately 180,000 Pakistani rupees), with accommodation, medical facilities, and transportation included. The only requirement was a valid passport, and the deadline for applications was April 1, 2024, with departure set for June 1, 2024.
Notably, these applications were processed with unusual efficiency, allegedly facilitated by official correspondence from the Pakistani embassy in Serbia. Documents show that Ambassador Altaf used diplomatic communication, in favor of HighReach, vouching for the company’s credibility and assuring the legitimacy of the job offers. This endorsement reportedly played a crucial role in expediting the visa approval process.
However, the paper trail does not end there. In a move that has raised further suspicion, on June 19, 2024, another was issued from Bulgaria to the Iranian Consul General in Lahore, requesting Iranian visas for the 40 women. The rationale behind this maneuver was allegedly to route them through Iran before obtaining Serbian visas. This indirect route suggests an effort to bypass stricter immigration controls in European countries, a common tactic in human trafficking networks.
While the Pakistani government remained unaware of these activities, law enforcement agencies in Romania later intercepted two of these women, who were reportedly in a dire state. According to sources, Ms. Saleha Rajput allegedly collected Rs. 4 million in fees from these women in exchange for facilitating their European employment. What remains unclear is the extent of Ambassador Altaf’s personal involvement and whether he received any financial benefits in return for his diplomatic endorsements.
In this regard repeated inquiries directed at the Foreign Ministry have been met with silence. A formal questionnaire was sent to Foreign Ministry by Senior Journalist Shamshad Mangat seeking clarification on whether any other Pakistani ambassador had undertaken similar efforts to send women abroad for employment. No response has been received.
Likewise, Ambassador Altaf himself has not addressed the allegations, leaving many unanswered questions regarding his role and motivations.
The Prime Minister and the Army Chief must now turn their focus towards internal corruption within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Pakistan’s diplomatic missions abroad are meant to serve the interests of its citizens, protect their rights, and improve bilateral relations—not facilitate human smuggling. If these allegations prove true, this incident will represent not only a diplomatic scandal but also a severe betrayal of trust by those sworn to uphold Pakistan’s global reputation.
This case underscores the urgent need for an independent and transparent investigation into the Foreign Ministry’s operations to ensure that no official misuses their position for illicit activities. If such activities go unchecked, it will not be long before Pakistan’s international standing suffers irreparable damage.
The authorities must act swiftly to restore the sanctity of Pakistan’s diplomatic missions and hold all those responsible to account, regardless of their rank or influence. The fight against human trafficking must not be selective, it must extend to every institution complicit in this crime.
