Islamabad, Dec 16: Expressing sorrow over the tragic deaths of Pakistani nationals attempting to illegally migrate to Europe by boat, Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Sunday to launch nationwide operations against human smuggling networks.
Naqvi highlighted the devastating impact of such mafias on families and stressed the need to eradicate them. Acting on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s orders, a committee led by the additional secretary of the Ministry of Interior has been formed to investigate the incident, with a report expected within five days.
At least five migrants drowned when their wooden boat capsized near Greece’s southern island of Gavdos, with many still missing as search operations continue. The Greek coastguard reported that 39 men, mostly Pakistanis, have been rescued and transferred to Crete.
The tragedy has reignited calls for stricter measures to combat human smuggling. Premier Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the loss of lives, emphasizing the need for severe penalties and preventive measures against smuggling networks. He condemned the deceptive tactics used by smugglers to exploit vulnerable people and directed Naqvi to conduct a thorough inquiry and identify those responsible.
President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed condolences, calling human smuggling a despicable act and urging expedited efforts to eliminate it. He offered prayers and support to the grieving families while advocating concrete steps to prevent such tragedies in the future.
