Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has established a Special Task Force aimed at combating human trafficking in Pakistan, following a tragic incident in which at least 44 Pakistanis lost their lives in a shipwreck while attempting to cross from West Africa to Spain’s Canary Islands. The announcement was made by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Friday.
The creation of the task force comes a week after the deadly boat disaster, with the Prime Minister pledging to bring those responsible for human trafficking to justice. “We will bring the perpetrators involved in human trafficking to justice,” Prime Minister Sharif said during a meeting focused on steps to address this pressing issue in Pakistan.
The PMO confirmed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will personally lead the newly formed task force. The Prime Minister emphasized the urgency of arresting human traffickers and instructed all relevant authorities, including the Foreign Ministry, to actively collaborate in identifying those involved in trafficking operations.
The Prime Minister expressed his deep sorrow over the deaths of Pakistanis in the shipwreck, stating, “The entire nation, including myself, is deeply grieved by the heartbreaking incident of the deaths of Pakistanis on the migrant boat.”
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During the meeting, it was revealed that six organized human trafficking groups had been identified, with 12 FIRs (First Information Reports) filed, 25 individuals identified, and three key suspects arrested. Additionally, the names of 16 individuals involved in trafficking were added to the passport control list. Authorities also reported the seizure of vehicles, bank accounts, and assets linked to these operations.
The meeting also included an update on actions taken against Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) personnel suspected of involvement in trafficking and a report from the overseas investigative committee.
Earlier in 2023, several similar incidents had occurred, including the deaths of at least five Pakistanis in a boat accident south of Greece and 82 Pakistanis who drowned when a boat sank near Greece.
The creation of the Special Task Force signals the government’s commitment to tackling human trafficking and protecting its citizens from such dangerous and exploitative situations.
