Islamabad (TDI): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday praised the efforts of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on crackdown against government officials accused of facilitating human trafficking.
“Taking disciplinary action against government officers who facilitate human traffickers is a positive development,” he said while chairing a meeting to review measures against human trafficking.
The prime minister directed authorities to follow up disciplinary actions with strict legal measures against the facilitators.
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He also called for effective legal action against all human trafficking networks in the country.
Shehbaz emphasized the need to confiscate the properties and assets of those involved in trafficking through immediate legal action. He further stressed that the prosecution process against offenders must be strengthened and made more effective.
To ensure successful prosecution, the Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Law and Justice to appoint top-tier lawyers in consultation with relevant authorities.
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The Prime Minister also directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to work with other countries to locate and repatriate Pakistani nationals operating human trafficking networks abroad.
He urged the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, to launch an awareness campaign encouraging the public to use only legal channels for overseas employment.
“Technical training institutes should be promoted to produce certified professionals meeting international standards,” Shehbaz added.
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He also called for improving the screening process for travellers at airports to better detect and prevent human trafficking.
The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Engineer Amir Maqam, and senior officials from relevant departments.
