The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has taken strict action against officials implicated in human trafficking connected to the Greece boat tragedy. A total of 35 FIA officials, including four inspectors, ten sub-inspectors, and two assistant sub-inspectors, have been dismissed. Additionally, five head constables and 14 constables were terminated from service, while cases have been registered against 13 officials directly involved in human smuggling.
The FIA director general presided over hearings for departmental action against these individuals. Investigations revealed that many victims of the Greece boat disaster hailed from Narowal and Sialkot, including Shabbir, Zain, Zeeshan, and Owais. The tragedy claimed the lives of nine Pakistani nationals, with the bodies of four more victims recently recovered.
The FIA has reported that 49 Pakistanis remain missing following the incident. DNA testing will be conducted to identify the recovered bodies. Efforts are underway by the Pakistani Embassy to repatriate the remains to Pakistan.
Initial investigations led to the expulsion of 18 FIA officials from their respective districts, including Gujrat, Gujranwala, and Sialkot. Among those transferred was the Sialkot Airport Additional Director (Immigration), Ali Zaidi. Kartarpur Deputy Director Muhammad Nauman has been assigned additional responsibilities at Sialkot Airport.
Reportedly, 38 FIA officials linked to the case appeared before the agency’s director general to present their defenses. The DG is personally overseeing the investigation and will determine further disciplinary actions.
This incident has highlighted systemic issues within the FIA and underscored the urgent need for reforms to combat human trafficking.
