Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif led a high-ranking discussion on human smuggling and the recent boat sinking near Greece in the Mediterranean, held in Islamabad.
The Prime Minister received comprehensive briefings about the shipwreck near Greece and urged the relevant authorities to bring those responsible to justice swiftly.
High-level meeting attendees included Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi, DG FIA, Azad Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary, and other senior officials.
The Greek Coast Guard’s detection of the boat on June 12 was discussed, which was estimated to carry about 700 people. Most of the boat’s passengers hailed from Syria, Libya, and Pakistan, and an Egyptian reportedly owned the boat.
The attendees were informed that 104 people from the shipwreck had been saved, including 15 from Pakistan. Further, 15 individuals were apprehended following the boat’s capsizing, with the main suspect among them. The discussion also highlighted an international trafficking ring’s involvement.
Prime Minister Sharif’s Instructions
Prime Minister Shehbaz voiced his frustration during the meeting, asking why preventive measures against human traffickers hadn’t been implemented earlier. He critically questioned the district administration’s failure to identify and address the smugglers’ activities promptly.
The Prime Minister instructed the investigation committee to finalize their findings and provide a report promptly. He further tasked Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah with overseeing the investigation and developing legislation proposals to penalize the culprits.
Additionally, he instructed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to take proper action, guiding the commissioner of Gujranwala to identify involved agents, hold them legally accountable, and take preventive measures against such activities.
Read: Pakistan Mourns Tragic Migrant Boat Capsizing; Key Trafficker Arrested
Following instructions from Punjab Inspector General (IG) Dr. Usman Anwar, Mumtaz Arain, the primary suspect behind the human trafficking that resulted in the incident, was apprehended a day earlier.
The death toll in this tragedy could potentially exceed several hundred, as eyewitnesses reported that 400 and 750 people were onboard the sunken fishing boat, located approximately 50 miles (80km) from Pylos, a southern Greek town. The Greek authorities reported 104 survivors and 78 casualties, but the chances of discovering additional survivors are diminishing.
