The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in Lahore has arrested a key operative of a network involved in kidnapping Pakistani citizens in Iran.

According to the FIA, the suspect has been identified as Muhammad Idrees.

He was part of a gang that abducted Pakistani pilgrims in Iran and collected ransom payments from their families for their release.

Officials said Idrees arranged the kidnapping of two citizens in Iran through his network and extorted Rs5 million from their families. The ransom money was later transferred abroad via hundi.

The FIA added that the suspect had long been wanted by its Lahore office. He has now been taken into custody, and further investigation has been launched to trace his accomplices and financial channels abroad.