In response to the tragic deaths of Pakistanis in a boat carrying illegal immigrants off the coast of Morocco, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced the formation of a special task force to combat human trafficking. Chairing a high-level meeting to review the issue, the PM declared that he would personally lead the task force to ensure swift action against those involved in this heinous crime.
The meeting provided a comprehensive update on the ongoing efforts to dismantle human trafficking networks, including operations, arrests, and future strategies. PM Shehbaz emphasized that human trafficking is a crime against humanity and that those responsible would be brought to justice. He instructed authorities to accelerate the arrest of trafficking groups.
Authorities briefed the PM that six organized trafficking groups had been identified, with 25 individuals linked to these operations. So far, 12 first information reports (FIRs) have been filed, resulting in three key arrests. Additionally, 16 suspects have been placed on the passport control list to prevent their escape, and details of confiscated vehicles, assets, and bank accounts related to the trafficking networks were shared.
The Prime Minister directed the Foreign Affairs Ministry and other relevant institutions to intensify efforts to dismantle these networks. He reiterated that those involved in human trafficking would face exemplary punishment, calling the crime a “murder of humanity.”
Expressing his deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the boat tragedy, PM Shehbaz Sharif conveyed that the entire nation shares in the grief. He pledged to personally monitor the task force’s progress through weekly reports on actions taken, arrests made, and future plans to tackle the issue.
“This heartbreaking incident demands immediate and decisive action. We will identify and punish those who exploit vulnerable people for profit,” the Prime Minister stated.
Earlier this month, around 50 migrants, including 44 Pakistanis, lost their lives when a makeshift boat, attempting to reach Spain from West Africa, capsized off the coast of Morocco. The vessel, carrying approximately 86 people, including 66 Pakistanis, had departed Mauritania on January 2. After spending 13 days at sea, it met with tragedy.
Mali’s Ministry of Malians Abroad confirmed that only 11 survivors were rescued, while Reuters reported that 36 people were saved, with 50 feared dead. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) confirmed that 21 Pakistani nationals were among the survivors.
Shocking testimonies from Pakistani survivors painted a grim picture of the incident, suggesting that the tragedy was not an accident but a deliberate act by an international human trafficking ring. Survivors described how smugglers deliberately halted the boat in the open sea and demanded ransom. Passengers endured extreme violence, starvation, dehydration, and brutal cold, leading to numerous deaths.
Witness accounts indicated that the tragedy was orchestrated by an international network of traffickers from Senegal, Mauritania, and Morocco. Survivors revealed that 21 Pakistanis who managed to pay the ransom were eventually released, but many others perished due to the harsh conditions and the smugglers’ cruelty.
