A group of four Pakistani nationals reportedly planning to travel illegally to Cyprus through Saudi Arabia was among seven passengers stopped by Pakistani authorities on Wednesday in an investigation into suspected migrant smuggling. Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency, it continued, claimed the four men were planning to reach Cyprus through an organised smuggling arrangement. Authorities said one passenger’s WhatsApp messages indicated that a relative living in Cyprus had agreed to arrange their transportation for 1.8 million Pakistani rupees per person (around €5,500 each). The passengers were initially booked to travel to Saudi Arabia on religious visas, but officials said checks raised suspicions over their intended destination. According to Pakistani officials, smugglers often use legitimate travel arrangements, including religious visas, as a means of moving individuals before arranging onward journeys through irregular channels.