Libya boat tragedy: No progress in probe over human trafficking

Eight FIRs were registered by FIA after January 31 boat capsize

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has yet to show any progress in its investigation against human traffickers launched in the wake of a boat capsize incident off the coast of Libya on January 31.

Around 90 people, including 31 Pakistanis, had drowned in the Mediterranean in their failed bid to reach Italy. The tragedy had shattered relevant quarters in Pakistan and FIA, being the responsible agency, soon launched an investigation.

A total of eight FIRs were registered by FIA against human traffickers – seven in Gujrat and one in Faisalabad. However, despite the lapse of more than a month, the investigation agency has failed to detain any of the suspects.

In the FIR registered in Faisalabad, suspects Muhammad Sajjad and Zafar Abbas are on a pre-arrest bail while two others, Muhammad Yasin and Muhammad Idris, are on bail.

Likewise, three alleged human traffickers – Shakeel Ahmad Butt, Mouzam Ali and Khurram – have not been arrested either, five weeks after the registration of the FIR.  Two of these men – Mouzam and Shakeel – are booked in two different cases of human smuggling.

Experts say that human trafficking is a heinous crime, and under Article 3 of the Constitution, it is the duty of the state to eliminate all forms of exploitation.

According to Barrister Afzal Hussain, a renowned lawyer, as per section 4 of the Prevention and Control of Human Trafficking Ordinance, 2002, in case of organised criminal groups, imprisonment for each member shall not be less than 10 years and may extend to 14 years, where the purpose of trafficking of a victim is exploitative entertainment.

“Keeping in view the massive rise in human smuggling cases in Pakistan, the investigative agency needs to form a comprehensive policy for putting an end to the growing crime,” said Barrister Hussain.