Human trafficking allegations involve Swiss diplomatic missions in Pakistan
Last Updated: Friday, May 19, 2006 | 6:16 PM ET
CBC News
Switzerland has announced it is replacing all its embassy and consular staff in Pakistan after accusations some employees were involved in a human trafficking racket.
Switzerland shut the visa section at its Islamabad embassy earlier this month, following a Pakistani investigation into the illegal issuing of Swiss visas that has led to a number of arrests.
The Foreign Ministry in Berne says eight of the staff being replaced are Swiss, while the rest are local employees.
However, it insists there is no evidence that the Swiss staff were involved in the suspected human trafficking, arguing it was more a case of lax oversight.
Switzerland is also investigating cases of visa fraud in Oman, Peru, Russia, Nigeria, Serbia and Eritrea.
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