Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday called for decisive action against officials responsible for delays in addressing human trafficking, following several tragic boat accidents last year that claimed the lives of many Pakistani migrants.
In June 2023, one of the deadliest maritime disasters occurred in the Mediterranean Sea when an overcrowded vessel sank off the Greek coastal town of Pylos. Among the victims were at least 209 Pakistanis. Earlier in April, Pakistani nationals were also among those who perished in two separate boat sinkings near Libyan coastal towns. Similarly, in February, 59 lives were lost, including Pakistanis, when a wooden migrant boat crashed on the Italian coast.
In a more recent incident in Greece, several Pakistanis died in another boat capsizing tragedy, with the death toll rising to 40. Despite rescue efforts, no survivors were found among the 35 missing Pakistanis.
Following an investigation into the Greek boat disaster, Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested two immigration officers and filed cases against three human smugglers, including the detained FIA officials.
Chairing a high-level meeting in Islamabad, PM Shehbaz condemned human trafficking as a shameful act tarnishing Pakistan’s global reputation. He criticized the slow response to the 2023 boat tragedy and vowed strict action against the officials involved.
The prime minister directed agencies to strengthen their coordination to combat human trafficking, identify FIA officials aiding traffickers, and ensure strict penalties. He also instructed authorities to expedite ongoing investigations and present actionable recommendations.
During the briefing, PM Shehbaz was updated on the latest boat incident and measures to curb human trafficking. Authorities identified five Pakistani victims from the tragedy, with efforts to identify others ongoing.
Officials highlighted that individuals from areas such as Gujranwala, Gujarat, Sialkot, and Mandi Bahauddin are particularly vulnerable to human traffickers. To address this, the government is working on improving legislation to prevent such crimes and protect potential victims.
