ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed that strict punitive action should be taken against officers involved in sluggish action against human trafficking post-2023 boat capsizing incident.

Chairing a high-level meeting on the prevention of human trafficking, the prime minister derided human trafficking as a regrettable offence bringing “disgrace to Pakistan worldwide”.

He directed the relevant agencies to enhance coordination to prevent human trafficking and ensure the identification of FIA officials involved in facilitating human traffickers and take strict action against them.

He also directed to complete the ongoing investigation into human trafficking incidents at the earliest and submit concrete recommendations to overcome the menace.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Sharif was briefed on Greece’s boat accident and steps taken to prevent human trafficking. He was informed that five Pakistanis who died in the accident had been identified, while identification of the remaining was underway.

Pakistan Embassy in Athens is in constant contact with Greek authorities. Besides, the embassy can also be contacted on the helpline +30-6943850188 and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Crisis Management Unit on 0519207887 for information and assistance regarding the boat accident, the meeting was told.

It was informed that people from Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot and Mandi Bahauddin districts were the most vulnerable to human traffickers and that legislation was being further improved to prevent human trafficking.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, federal ministers Ahad Khan Cheema, Attaullah Tarar and Rana Ehsan Afzal and senior government officials concerned. Pakistan’s ambassador to Greece participated in the meeting via video link.

Published in Dawn, December 21st, 2024