Islamabad Web Desk: The tragedy of human trafficking in Pakistan has come into sharp focus following last month’s devastating boat capsize near Greece, which claimed the lives of five Pakistanis.
On Monday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took decisive action, instructing authorities to ramp up efforts against human traffickers, confiscate their assets, and enforce stricter punishments. His directives came during a meeting in Islamabad to assess progress in combating human smuggling and tightening legal frameworks.
He further ordered the immediate seizure of properties and assets linked to traffickers.
The issue gained urgency after the December 14 tragedy off the Greek island of Gavdos. The incident underscored the desperate journeys migrants often take in search of better opportunities, particularly young Pakistanis driven by economic hardships.
This isn’t an isolated case. Earlier in 2023, another disaster saw hundreds of migrants, including 262 Pakistanis, drown when an overcrowded vessel sank off the Greek coast. Authorities have since arrested multiple suspects connected to both incidents.
To tackle the root causes of illegal migration, the prime minister directed the Foreign Office to expedite the extradition of Pakistani traffickers operating abroad. He also urged a more robust screening process at airports and asked the ministries of information and interior to launch awareness campaigns highlighting the risks of illegal migration while promoting legal pathways for overseas employment.
Sharif called for enhancing technical training institutes to prepare certified, skilled workers for international markets. This, he believes, would not only provide safer opportunities for Pakistanis seeking jobs abroad but also reduce the lure of dangerous, illegal routes.
The prime minister’s strong stance and directives aim to dismantle human trafficking networks, bring justice to victims, and ensure such tragedies do not repeat.
