Another boat tragedy

Another migrant boat finds itself caught in the jaws of death. The boat, capsizing near Morocco yesterday, is believed to carry Pakistanis among its 65 unfortunate passengers. That it's a third such tragedy this year involving Pakistanis makes it even more alarming - not just because it indicates the failure of the law enforcers in the country to put a stop to the illegal activity, at least for the time being; but also because it brings to light, yet again, the compulsion of a segment of our population to embark on a life-threatening journey merely in search of a living.

While addressing the oft-discussed root causes, mainly linked to the meltdown of the economy, cannot happen overnight, there is need for the authorities to activate the law enforcement mechanism, focusing on the illegal human trade. A specialised squad of police or FIA, solely working to bust the human trafficking network in the country, should be set up and equipped with all the necessary knowledge, equipment and resources to go after the sinister trade.

Crime never thrives without patronage. This thriving 'business' of human trafficking is highly likely to have its patrons too - maybe among the law-enforcers themselves, within the political class, or amidst those occupying top positions in the government machinery. Only recently the DG FIA had been removed allegedly due to his poor performance with regard to an investigation into the deaths of several Pakistanis who were onboard a capsized ship carrying illegal migrants to Greece. His exact sin has yet to come to the fore; there are no reports either of any inquiry having been conducted against him. And even after this high-profile sacking, there is no letup in Pakistanis falling prey to the ruthless human-traffickers - and the 'business' is flourishing as ever.