KUWAIT CITY, Aug 13: In a major crackdown on residency trafficking, the General Department of Residence Affairs Investigations has arrested a Pakistani national and several others accused of issuing illegal residency permits in exchange for money. The operation was carried out under the directives of First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahd Yousef Saud Al-Sabah.

Investigations revealed that the main suspect, identified as Shahbaz Hussain Allah Rakha, was registered under Noor Al-Kawthar General Trading and Contracting Company and acted as a representative for 19 companies, managing nine of them under agency agreements. A total of 150 workers were registered under these companies, owned by Munifa Omar Al-Enezi.

Authorities found that individuals had paid between KD 350 and KD 900 to the suspect to renew or transfer their residency illegally, despite not working for the companies under his name. The accused admitted to completing the transactions himself using the credentials of the Public Authority for Manpower and the Ministry of Interior, without the company owner’s involvement.

All suspects have been referred to the competent authorities for legal action. The Ministry of Interior, in coordination with the Public Authority for Manpower, has reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying inspections, rooting out residency trafficking, and enforcing strict legal measures against offenders.

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 13: The Commercial Control Department at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry launched intensive inspection campaigns targeting commercial establishments, resulting in the closure of 13 establishments, including beauty salons, used car tyre shops and a café. Director of the department Faisal Al-Ansari stressed that the ministry has never been lenient towards those who violate the regulations and laws. He revealed to the newspaper that inspection teams recorded serious violations, resulting in the closure of five women’s salons that used expired cosmetics and violation reports were issued against them.

He added the inspection teams closed five domestic worker recruitment offices, two used car tyre shops and one café for failure to comply with decisions and regulations. He said the department is keen on pursuing anyone who dares to violate the laws by intensifying inspection campaigns throughout the country; such that inspection campaigns will be carried out in industrial plots in the coming days to monitor the plots belonging to the ministry and take the necessary measures against violators.

By Marwa Al-Bahrawi
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff

Alcohol poisoning suspected in deaths of 10 expatriate workers in Ahmadi.

KUWAIT CITY, Aug 13: A security source revealed to a local daily that 10 expatriate workers were found dead across 10 separate incidents in Ahmadi Governorate. According to the source, initial investigations suggest that alcohol poisoning may be the cause of death in all cases.

The Ministry of Interior is reportedly looking into the circumstances surrounding these deaths, as all the victims were expatriates working in the area. Further details on the investigation are awaited.