On Monday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered stringent legal action against human trafficking groups in Pakistan, including immediate steps to seize the assets and properties of traffickers. The move follows the tragic boat capsizing incident in Greece last month, which resulted in the deaths of over 80 Pakistanis. Only 36 individuals were rescued, and the others are presumed dead.
In connection with the incident, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested two immigration officers and registered a case against three human traffickers, including the FIA officials. Over 30 FIA officers have also been dismissed for allegedly aiding human smugglers in sending Pakistanis abroad illegally.
PM Shehbaz chaired a review meeting to assess the actions taken against human trafficking, during which he commended the FIAβs recent actions against corrupt government officials involved in the trade. He emphasized that severe punitive measures should be enforced against those facilitating human trafficking.
The meeting also discussed the ongoing legal actions, progress in combating trafficking, and the need for stronger legislation to eradicate the crime. PM Shehbaz stressed the importance of making the prosecution process more effective and suggested appointing top lawyers in collaboration with the law ministry.
The Prime Minister also directed the Foreign Office to pursue the extradition of Pakistanis involved in trafficking operations abroad and called for a public awareness campaign led by the information and interior ministries to encourage legal channels for overseas employment. Additionally, he recommended enhancing the screening process at airports and promoting technical training institutions to equip individuals with certified skills for the global job market.
