PM Shehbaz orders action to curb human trafficking after Greece boat capsize

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities to take decisive action against human trafficking, which he said tarnishes Pakistan's global image, and demanded a report on cases involving Pakistani citizens over the past year.

Chairing a meeting on the deaths of Pakistani nationals in a recent boat capsize near Greece, the prime minister expressed dismay over recurring tragedies and the lack of robust action against traffickers. "The recurrence of such incidents is due to sluggish actions against the people involved," he said, recalling a similar incident last year where 262 Pakistanis lost their lives.

Sharif instructed the immediate implementation of the Integrated Border Management System (IBMS) to monitor international travel and curb trafficking.

Officials briefed the prime minister that 174 suspects had been brought before courts this year, with four convictions. He demanded further updates on the public awareness campaign against human trafficking and ordered the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the foreign ministry to submit a comprehensive report.

Sharif also emphasised enhanced collaboration with international organisations to prevent such tragedies and called for stricter penalties for offenders.

Federal ministers Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Syed Mohsin Naqvi, Ahad Cheema, and Attaullah Tarar, along with Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi and senior officials, attended the meeting.