ISLAMABAD: Prime Min­i­s­ter Shehbaz Sharif on Friday dir­ected the authorities concer­ned to take strict punitive action within a week against culprits involved in human trafficking.

He issued the directive while presiding over a mee­ting on human traffi­cking in the country, a PM Office press release said.

During the meeting, a report of the committee formed under the chairmanship of Mushtaq Sukhera was presented about the migrants’ boat capsizing incident which took place near Greece in December 2024.

The PM praised Mr Sukhera’s efforts for compiling a comprehensive report on the issue.

He also directed officials concerned to make the prosecution process more effective against the people involved in human trafficking.

“Why disciplinary action has not been taken against government officials who facilitate people involved in human trafficking?” the prime minister asked.

He directed officials concerned to make visa checks and other regulations effective for all those going abroad. “The government is committed to complete elimination of human trafficking from the country,” the prime minister said.

PM Shehbaz also ordered the formation of a committee headed by the interior minister to find a permanent solution to end human trafficking issue.

He was briefed during the meeting about measures taken by ministries concerned against human trafficking in the country.

The prime minister was also informed about the identities of Pakistanis killed in the Dece­mber 2024 migrant boat accident and the steps taken for repatriation of their bodies.

Published in Dawn, December 28th, 2024