Authorities have decided to shift 284 foreign nationals arrested in Islamabad in connection with an alleged online fraud and obscene content case to Adiala Jail as part of arrangements for their deportation from Pakistan.

According to sources, the foreigners were arrested during a crackdown at a private housing society in Islamabad. Their visas were cancelled a day earlier, while special permits were issued to facilitate their transfer to the jail.

Sources said all 284 foreigners are expected to be deported from Pakistan within 15 days. Most of those arrested are citizens of Vietnam, Indonesia and China and had entered the country on tourist or visit visas.

Meanwhile, authorities have withdrawn a notification declaring a plaza in the private housing society a sub-jail. The arrested foreigners will now be transferred to Adiala Jail, following which the deportation process will proceed.

Earlier, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) arrested nearly 400 foreign nationals during a joint crackdown in Islamabad. The arrests included 258 Chinese nationals, while a case was registered against the foreigners under the Foreign Act.

FIA officials said the arrested individuals included nationals of China, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia. Vietnamese nationals were reportedly detained from SPARCO Plaza in Gulberg Greens, Islamabad.

According to officials, the suspects were verified through the Integrated Border Management System and had entered Pakistan on visit, tourist or business visas. They were allegedly found violating visa conditions by engaging in unauthorised business activities and operating illegal call centres.

Separately, the FIA arrested 17 people in Gujranwala, Gujrat and Sialkot for their alleged involvement in human trafficking.