Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to take strong action against human trafficking, which he believes damages Pakistan’s international reputation, and has called for a report on cases involving Pakistani citizens over the past year.
During a meeting on the recent boat capsize near Greece that resulted in the deaths of Pakistani nationals, the prime minister expressed concern over the recurring tragedies and the lack of effective measures against traffickers. “The repetition of such incidents is due to slow actions against the culprits,” he said, recalling a similar tragedy last year in which 262 Pakistanis lost their lives.
Sharif ordered the immediate implementation of the Integrated Border Management System (IBMS) to monitor international travel and curb human trafficking.
Officials briefed the prime minister that 174 suspects had been presented in court this year, with four convictions. He requested further updates on the public awareness campaign against trafficking and instructed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the foreign ministry to provide a detailed report.
The prime minister also stressed the need for increased collaboration with international organizations to prevent such tragedies and called for harsher penalties for those involved in trafficking.
The meeting was attended by federal ministers Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Syed Mohsin Naqvi, Ahad Cheema, and Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi, and senior officials.
