A KEY part of dismantling human smuggling and illegal migration rackets in the country — along with busting the gangs involved in this sordid business — is to identify and punish the individuals within government agencies that help facilitate these illegal activities. There has been a sudden burst of activity in this regard after last month’s tragedy off the coast of Greece, in which several boats carrying migrants capsized. Around 80 Pakistanis are believed to have drowned; the deaths of nine individuals have been confirmed. This is the second tragedy of its kind in recent years, as a similar disaster in 2023, also off the Greek coast, resulted in the deaths of over 350 Pakistanis. In the wake of last month’s debacle, the prime minister ordered action against human smugglers and the officials involved in the racket. As a result, the Federal Investigation Agency says, according to a report in this paper, that 35 personnel have been dismissed, while criminal cases have been filed against 13 FIA men.

The action against errant officials is welcome, but internal accountability must be a continuous process, and must not be a reactive exercise, with the state swinging into action only after a tragedy occurs. It is hard to believe that criminals involved in the smuggling and trafficking rackets can operate without help from compromised state functionaries. Migrant smuggling is big business, with individuals forking over thousands of dollars per person to try to get to Europe, and it can be assumed that many officials also have a cut in this booty. Therefore, there needs to be constant vigilance of state functionaries, particularly at airports and border crossings, to ensure no government official gets away with abetting the illegal migration trade. In the long term, the state also needs to address the triggers that force people to spend huge sums, and risk their lives, in a bid to get to greener pastures abroad. While some leave the country due to discrimination and persecution, the vast majority are economic migrants, many hailing from relatively prosperous parts of Punjab. Victims have said economic hardship made them opt for illegal migration, while others are inspired by compatriots who made it ‘big’ in Europe. Hence, ensuring social and economic justice is essential if people are to be convinced to not put their lives on the line by making these risky journeys.

Published in Dawn, January 6th, 2025