Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday ordered strict legal action to be taken against all human trafficking groups in the country to set an example, including immediate legal action to confiscate the properties and assets of human traffickers.
Last month, several Pakistanis died in a ship capsize in Greece. According to estimates, more than 80 Pakistanis drowned in the accident, 36 of whom were rescued. The rest have been presumed dead.
A spokesperson for the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in Islamabad said in a statement that following an investigation into the capsizing of the Greek ship, two FIA immigration officials were arrested and a case was registered against three human traffickers, including FIA officials.
More than 30 FIA officers have been booked and dismissed from the service for their alleged connivance with human traffickers to illegally send Pakistanis abroad.
Prime Minister Shehbaz today chaired a review meeting on measures taken against human trafficking in the country, the media wing of the prime minister’s office said in a press release.
The prime minister appreciated the recent actions taken by the Federal Investigation Agency against government officials involved in human trafficking.
Following the disciplinary measures, he further ordered that strict punitive measures also be taken against the facilitators.
At the meeting, the prime minister was informed about the measures taken against human trafficking, the progress in legal actions against facilitators and in legislation to eradicate human trafficking.
The prime minister said the prosecution process against all individuals involved in the heinous trade should be more effective, adding that senior lawyers should be appointed for prosecution after consultation with the Ministry of Justice.
The prime minister said the Ministry of External Affairs should contact relevant countries to expedite the extradition of Pakistanis running human trafficking operations abroad.
Furthermore, it ordered that the Ministry of Information, in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs, launch an awareness campaign to educate the public on using only legal channels for overseas employment.
He said the country should promote technical training institutions that can provide certified professionals to the international market in accordance with modern requirements, adding that the screening process for people traveling abroad at airports should be made more effective.