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Business Recorder
9 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Crackdown on human traffickers, illegal currency networks launched
ISLAMABAD: In a series of coordinated operations across multiple regions, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested 10 suspects involved in human trafficking, visa fraud, and illegal currency exchange. The crackdown was carried out on the directives of FIA Director General Rafat Mukhtar Raja, as part of an intensified campaign to dismantle smuggling and financial crime networks operating across the country. FIA Multan Zone arrested three individuals, including Feroze Qaiser Sagu, a most-wanted human smuggler. Other arrested suspects include Muhammad Azam and Muhammad Wazir. The trio allegedly defrauded citizens by promising employment abroad, extracting large sums of money without delivering. Feroze Qaiser, apprehended in Khanewal, has nine cases registered against him in the Multan Zone and additional charges in Faisalabad. He reportedly scammed over Rs. 8.2 million from victims by offering fake job placements in Dubai and Saudi Arabia. Muhammad Azam is accused of defrauding Rs. 600,000 under the pretence of employment in Azerbaijan. Muhammad Wazir allegedly extorted Rs. 2.36 million from citizens for promised jobs in the UAE. FIA Lahore Zone conducted raids in Lahore and Islamabad, arresting Naveed Tahir and Zubair Muhammad, both charged with visa fraud. Naveed Tahir allegedly took Rs. 1.68 million from a citizen, promising a job in Lithuania Zubair Muhammad is accused of swindling Rs. 700,000 under the guise of securing a US visa. Both suspects failed to provide the promised visas and had gone into hiding before being apprehended. In another significant operation, FIA Balochistan Zone arrested five individuals — Akmal Khan, Saifullah, Basheer Ahmed, Abdul Qayoom, and Abdullah — involved in illegal currency exchange and Hawala/Hundi operations in Quetta and Chaman Authorities seized a large sum of currency during the raids, including: Rs. 684,000 in Pakistani rupees 230.5 million Iranian Rials over 135,000 Afghanis 700 US dollars, 200 Saudi Riyals, and 150 Australian Dollars. Investigators also recovered cheque books, receipts, and bank slips linked to Hawala operations. The suspects were allegedly operating without proper licenses and failed to explain the source of the recovered funds. All suspects have been taken into custody and investigations are ongoing. According to the FIA spokesperson, the agency remains committed to a zero-tolerance policy against human trafficking, visa fraud, and illegal financial operations.
Irish Times
15-07-2025
- Irish Times
Two doctors and a secretary accused of stealing money appear in court
Two doctors and a secretary charged with multiple counts of stealing money under a state-funded healthcare reimbursement scheme and submitting false claims to the HSE have appeared before Longford Circuit Court. Doctors Muhammad Azam (59) and Waqas Farooqi (46) and secretary Gillian McCord (56) were before Judge Kenneth Connolly on Tuesday. The court heard the three had only recently been served with the book of evidence and counsel needed more time to go through it. The three defendants face a combined total of 135 charges, including 20 counts of theft and 22 counts of using false general medical services claims or out-of-hours payment forms. READ MORE Those false claims related to 12 different patients at the Primary Care Reimbursement Services, Exit 50, North Road, Finglas, Dublin 11. Dr Azam, of The Rocks, Stonepark, Co Longford, faces a total of 48 charges. Dr Farooqi, of Belvedere Hills, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, is facing 47 charges. There are 42 charges brought against Ms McCord, of Knockanboy, Co Longford. It is alleged the three accused used false medical documentation to indicate that patients had received medical services. Dr Azam and Dr Farooqi were also charged with multiple counts of money-laundering within the State between October 2017 and December 2019. All three were remanded on continuing bail to reappear in court on October 28th.
The Hill
20-06-2025
- Health
- The Hill
New COVID variant causes ‘razor blade throat'
Patients and doctors say the latest COVID-19 variant spreading in the U.S. in some cases causes a sore throat so painful it has earned the nickname 'razor blade throat.' The 'Nimbus' variant, which is officially known as NB.1.8.1., is a descendant of the Omicron is currently being monitored by the World Health Organization. 'Your throat is so dry, so cracked, it's so painful, it's even hard to drink sometimes,' Muhammad Azam, a physician with Sharp Community Medical Group in California, told ABC 10. The variant was first identified in January. It has since been found around the globe, including in Canada and at least 13 states in the U.S. Apart from 'razor blade throat,' it causes symptoms similar to other Omicron variants of the virus, like cough, fever, fatigue, muscle aches, congestion, headache, nausea, vomiting and loss of smell or taste, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 'Sore throat has been a part of the spectrum of COVID from the beginning,' said Amesh Adalja, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. 'It is something that we know occurs just like it occurs with many other respiratory viruses.' Most cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. are still caused by the LP.8.1. strain, but the NB.1.8.1 variant is becoming increasingly prominent. According to CDC data, 38 percent of COVID cases stem from the LP.8.1 strain while 37 percent of COVID cases now stem from the 'Nimbus' variant. The agency notes on its website that, given the low number of virus sequences being reported, its precision is low. NB.1.8.1 does not appear to be any more of a global threat than other variants, according to the WHO. The organization also said that the existing COVID-19 vaccines provide adequate protection against severe illness and hospitalization caused by the new variant. Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a professor of medicine and infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, told ABC News that most COVID patients are reporting sore throat. 'I think it's certainly amongst the spectrum of symptoms that you can get, and we know that sore throat is reported by about 70% of patients now with COVID, so it's not unusual, and like with everything in medicine, there's always a spectrum,' he said.
Sunday World
16-06-2025
- Sunday World
Two doctors and secretary to stand trial accused of theft and money laundering
General practitioners Muhammad Azam and Waqas Farooqi, as well as Gillian McCord appeared at a sitting of Longford District Court to face a total of 138 charges The outside of Dublin Street Medical Centre in Longford town. Dr Waqas Farooqi together with his co-accused Dr Muhammad Azam handed in a €5,000 cash lodgment as part of their bail terms Two midlands-based doctors and a secretary are to stand trial accused of multiple counts of stealing money under a state-funded public healthcare reimbursement scheme and submitting false medical service claims on behalf of patients to the HSE. General practitioners Muhammad Azam (59), of The Rocks, Stonepark, Co Longford, and Waqas Farooqi (46) Belvedere Hills, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, as well as Gillian McCord (56), of Knockanboy, Co Longford, appeared at a sitting of Longford District Court to face a total of 138 charges between them. Dr Muhammad Azam on the steps of Longford Courthouse. The accused were each charged with 20 counts of theft from the HSE's Primary Care Reimbursement Scheme at 19 Dublin Street, Longford, on dates between October 2017 and October 2019. Twenty-two further charges were also issued against all three concerning the alleged use of false general medical services claims or out-of-hours payment forms for 12 patients at the Primary Care Reimbursement Services head offices, Exit 50, North Road, Finglas, Dublin 11, on various dates between August 2017 and October 2019. Dr Waqas Farooqi outside Longford Courthouse after he was remanded on bail and charged with 48 counts of theft, deception and money laundering. The particulars of those charges alleged false medical documentation was used to indicate that a particular patient had received a 'medical service' with the 'intent of inducing another person to accept it as genuine' under the provisions of section 26 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001. Dr Azam and Dr Farooqi were similarly charged with multiple counts of money laundering at locations within the State that related to various bank accounts from AIB, PTSB and Ulster Bank between October 2017 and December 2019. All three were led into court by detectives from the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and details of each of their arrests were handed into presiding Judge Bernadette Owens. Sergeant Mark Mahon told the court the State had received directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for the three accused to be sent forward for trial to the Circuit Criminal Court. General practitioners Muhammad Azam and Waqas Farooqi News in 90 seconds - 16th June 2025 When asked by Judge Owens if there was consent to a signed plea, Sgt Mahon said that option was not being made available by the DPP. He said the State was also not objecting to bail on the proviso a number of conditions were complied with. They included orders for both doctors to submit a €5,000 cash lodgment; to surrender their passports while agreeing to refrain from applying for any duplicate travel documentation; and to sign on each Wednesday at Longford and Mullingar garda stations respectively. Dr Muhammad Azam is to stand trial charged with 48 counts of theft, deception and money laundering. Sgt Mahon said the State would not be seeking cash bail from Ms McCord, with her defence solicitor Patrick Groarke SC stating his client would surrender her passport within 24 hours after attempts to locate it before court had proven unsuccessful. Ms McCord was also ordered to sign on once a week at Longford garda station and told not to apply for a duplicate passport or any other travel documentation. All three were remanded on bail to a sitting of Longford District Court on July 8 for the anticipated serving of a book of evidence.
Malay Mail
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Malay Mail
Four Malaysian players join Asean All-Stars for showdown against Manchester United
KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 — Four of Malaysia's finest footballers are in the Asean All-Stars squad to face English Premier League (EPL) giants Manchester United in a friendly at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil here on Wednesday (May 28). ShekhinahPR, the official public relations agency for the friendly, said the quartet are Muhammad Azam Azmi Murad, Muhammad Adib Abdul Ra'op, Muhammad Haziq Nadzli and Declan Lambert. Terengganu FC right-back Muhammad Azam, known for his pace and attacking runs, said he is honoured to represent the country in the friendly. 'Wearing the national colours in this All-Stars side is a proud moment. I aim to give my all and show what Malaysian football can achieve,' he said in a statement issued by ShekhinahPR today. Penang FC winger Muhammad Adib, meanwhile, expressed excitement about the opportunity to play against a world-class team. 'This is more than just a match; it's a chance for all of us to demonstrate our skill and heart on the international stage,' he said. Meanwhile, Perak FC goalkeeper Muhammad Haziq said he is ready to step up to the challenge of facing some of the world's top attacking players. 'Standing between the posts against a team like Manchester United is a challenge I've dreamt of. I'm ready to do whatever it takes to keep our side in the game,' he said. Kuala Lumpur (KL) City FC's Lambert, who has been a Malaysian international since 2022, will anchor the defence with his experience and leadership. 'I'm honoured to lead this defence alongside my national teammates. Together, we'll show the spirit of Malaysian football,' he said. The Asean All-Stars team will be coached by South Korean Kim Sang Sik, who recently led Vietnam to the 2024 Asean Championship title. The friendly, which is part of Manchester United's pre-season tour, is expected to draw tens of thousands of fans and highlight the best of Southeast Asian football talent. — Bernama
