PM Shehbaz promises severe punishment for human traffickers after Greece boat tragedy

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday vowed harsh punishment for human traffickers after a boat carrying illegal migrants, including many Pakistanis, capsized off Greece's southern island of Gavdos.

The incident occurred when a boat, overloaded with illegal migrants, capsized on Friday. So far, 39 men — primarily from Pakistan — have been rescued by cargo ships operating in the area and transferred to the island of Crete.

However, the total number of people missing remains unclear.

Prime Minister Sharif directed Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to submit a detailed inquiry report on the incident as soon as possible. He emphasised the need for concrete measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Shehbaz Sharif condemned human trafficking as a heinous crime that devastates countless lives annually. He described traffickers as a "cruel mafia" that exploits vulnerable individuals with false promises of a better future.

The prime minister stressed that those responsible for the trafficking network must be identified and punished severely to deter further incidents.

Meanwhile, on PM's directives, Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, has ordered a nationwide crackdown on human smuggling networks.

Naqvi has directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to launch immediate operations against the human trafficking mafias responsible for the incident. He underscored the urgency of eradicating such networks that have destroyed countless families.

The FIA will be working in close coordination with other law enforcement agencies to tackle the growing issue.

In a statement, President Asif Ali Zardari also called human trafficking a "heinous practice" that causes immeasurable pain and suffering. He extended his condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for their strength during this difficult time.

In June 2023, an overcrowded fishing boat carrying around 700 migrants, including an estimated 350 Pakistanis, sank off the coast of Greece.