Pakistan, Oct. 18 -- The Federal Investigation has recovered Rs 615.55 million from illegal visa agents in Islamabad and Rawalpindi over the past four months, arresting 190 suspects and registering 1,543 cases. The figures, released by the FIA, reflect the government's stepped-up efforts against a business that thrives on the desperation of Pakistanis seeking opportunities abroad. Nearly 13 cases registered every day in two cities alone should give the authorities plenty to think about. One wonders how many victims never approach the police.

The recent death of Laiba Ijaz, a physics gold medallist from the International Islamic University Islamabad, brings home the human cost of this racket. Hoping to pursue higher studies at Harvard, sh...