Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced the establishment of a special task force to address the growing problem of human trafficking networks in Pakistan.
The decision comes in the wake of a tragic incident in which several Pakistani citizens lost their lives in the illegal migrant boat tragedy, as the task force will be headed by the Prime Minister himself.
Chairing a weekly meeting on Friday to review the tragic incident involving illegal immigrants, Prime Minister Sharif emphasized the government’s commitment to bringing perpetrators of human trafficking to justice.
He stated that “those involved in this heinous crime of human trafficking will be held accountable and arrests of persons involved in such syndicates will be expedited.”
The Prime Minister urged all relevant government bodies, including the Ministry of External Affairs, to intensify efforts to identify human traffickers, while expressing deep sorrow over the death of Pakistani citizens in the boat tragedy, saying that the incident had deeply saddened the entire nation. including himself.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Sharif was briefed in detail about the groups responsible for the tragedy, the ongoing arrests and the legal action taken by the Pakistani authorities.
The meeting revealed that six organized human trafficking groups have been identified, 12 FIRs (first information reports) have been filed and 25 suspects have been named. Additionally, three key people were arrested and 16 people were added to the passport control list.
The meeting also highlighted measures being taken to seize vehicles, bank accounts and other assets linked to trafficking syndicates.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) shared updates on the arrests of suspected officials and staff involved in the trafficking networks, along with details of the report of an international investigation team.
Prime Minister Sharif has instructed authorities not only to track down and dismantle these criminal networks but also to ensure that traffickers face severe penalties.
Federal Ministers Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Azam Nazir Tarar, Ahd Khan Cheema, Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi and other senior officials participated in the meeting.
It is pertinent to mention that last week, a tragic incident involving migrants trying to reach Spain from West Africa may have claimed the lives of up to 50 people, including 44 Pakistanis.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the deaths of several Pakistanis in the migrant boat accident and stated that the embassy is in contact with local authorities.
