Greece boat tragedy
\n Islamabad
\nFollowing the tragic shipwreck off the Greece coast in which over 80 Pakistanis died and hundreds are missing, the federal government has decided to amend the Trafficking in Person Act, 2018, sources told media on Friday.
\n\u201cThe proposed amendment will make human smuggling and human trafficking a non-bailable offence,\u201d the sources said, adding that bank accounts and the assets of persons involved in human trafficking and smuggling will be frozen.
\n\u2018Flawed laws\u2019
\nMoreover, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah announced today that a crackdown is launched against those responsible for human smuggling that led to the deaths of several Pakistani citizens.
\n\u201cThere is also a flaw in the law on this issue,\u201d the federal minister said, addressing the National Assembly.
\nHe further shared that a high-level committee \u2014 headed by a grade 22 officer \u2014 had been set up to address the issue.
\n\u201cThe committee is working on three aspects,\u201d he revealed, adding that those involved in the accidents have been spared from the courts so far.
\nHowever, Sanaullah said proposed legislation in this regard is in progress.
\n\u201cThese people try to go to Europe through Egypt, Libya and UAE. Thousands of young people are in contact with these three countries regarding the issuance of visas,\u201d he added.
\nReiterating that action would be taken against those involved in human trafficking, he said comprehensive recommendations would be brought before the nation, and full measures would be taken to prevent illegal migration.
\nShedding light on the accountability of those involved in human smuggling and trafficking in the past, Sanaullah said: \u201cIn the five years of data available, hardly anyone has been convicted. Then, the affected families reconcile.\u201d
\nHe added that people travel legally from Pakistan to Egypt, Libya and UAE.
\n\u201cAfter that, people travel illegally,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Greece boat tragedy Islamabad Following the tragic shipwreck off the Greece coast in which over 80 Pakistanis died and hundreds are missing, the federal government has decided to amend the Trafficking in Person Act, 2018, sources told media on Friday. \u201cThe proposed amendment will make human smuggling and human trafficking a non-bailable offence,\u201d the sources […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":330772,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[1446],"class_list":{"0":"post-339575","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news","8":"tag-rana-sanaullah"},"yoast_head":"\n