Karachi: A group of Umrah pilgrims from Karachi has reported being defrauded by a Lahore-based travel agency, Fly Must Travel and Tours (Private) Limited, leading to the cancellation of their confirmed flight tickets to Jeddah. The victims claim that millions of rupees were embezzled, and a formal complaint has been submitted to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for immediate intervention.

Luqman Ahmed, head of the 13-member family affected by the alleged scam, has urgently appealed to FIA officials for assistance. Ahmed asserted that the agency owned by Kashif Qayyum, with a contact number provided, executed the fraud as the group prepared to board their flight. In a desperate move to secure travel for six additional family members, the group transferred Rs. 400,000 online while at the airport. Post-payment, they claim, Qayyum became unreachable.

Attempts to contact another company official, Director Chaudhry Usman, reportedly yielded no response. Ahmed expressed their lingering distress since the disruption on July 9, emphasizing their plea for the FIA to facilitate their travel arrangements.

Ahmed recounted the ordeal of having to pay an unexpected additional amount due to the alleged blackmailing by Qayyum, highlighting the emotional turmoil experienced by those prepared for the pilgrimage but then forced to return home.

The group continues to seek redress and hopes for a resolution that will allow them to fulfill their religious journey.