ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Information Minister Ataullah Tarar said this week that the government has arrested over 400 human traffickers recently and seized their properties, state-run media reported as Islamabad cracks down on human smuggling amid an increase in migrant boat tragedies.
Pakistan has intensified its crackdown on human smugglers after multiple boat tragedies resulted in its citizens getting killed. Two migrant boat tragedies involving dozens of Pakistanis — one near Morocco and the other off the coast of Libya — have been reported this year. Prior to these incidents, an overcrowded vessel carrying over 250 Pakistanis capsized in June 2023 near Greece, in what was one of the deadliest migrant boat disasters in recent history.
Pakistan’s Senate on Friday approved amendments to three key laws aimed at combating human trafficking and illegal migration. The legislation, which covers human trafficking, migrant smuggling and emigration, seeks to strengthen penalties for offenders, including those involved in smuggling young girls and trafficking beggars to Gulf states.
“The National Assembly was informed today that over four hundred human smugglers have been arrested,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported on Monday. “Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar told the house during question hour that the properties of these human smugglers have been seized and their bank accounts frozen.”
The minister did not specify the time period during which these human traffickers were arrested. Tarar said the government has taken notice of human smuggling, stressing that those involved in the practice will “not find any place to hide and will receive strict punishment.”
The minister referred to last week’s legislation against human trafficking, saying that the laws were enacted to make the offense a non-bailable one.
“He said anti-human trafficking cell has been activated and an awareness campaign has also been launched,” Radio Pakistan said. “He expressed the firm commitment to eradicate this menace.”
Migrant boat tragedies put the spotlight on perilous journeys many migrants undertake, often driven by economic hardship as young individuals seek better financial prospects by attempting dangerous crossings to Europe.
Several Pakistanis attempt the dangerous and illegal journey each year in a bid to escape surging inflation and opt for a better life as the cash-strapped country navigates a tricky path to economic recovery from a macroeconomic crisis.
