Islamabad : In an unprecedented move, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has exercised ruthless accountability against its own personnel, dismissing a significant number of corrupt officials found complicit in human smuggling networks, addressing negligence and complicity within the agency, particularly in light of recent human trafficking tragedies.
According to the FIA’s Director General, Ahmed Ishaq Jahangir, 35 officials have been dismissed from service for their alleged roles in facilitating illegal migration and failing to uphold their duties. The dismissed personnel include 4 inspectors, 10 sub-inspectors, 2 assistant sub-inspectors (ASIs), 5 head constables, and 14 constables. These individuals were found to have links with human smuggling mafias involved in the tragic boat incidents that claimed the lives of many Pakistanis.
In addition to these dismissals, legal proceedings have been initiated against 13 FIA officials implicated in human trafficking. The agency is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that those responsible are held accountable for their actions.
The FIA authorities have ramped up efforts to cleanse its ranks. The DG reviewed disciplinary proceedings against 49 officials accused of negligence or active involvement in human smuggling networks. This marks a critical step towards restoring integrity and trust within the agency.
These actions reflect a broader commitment by the FIA to combat human trafficking and send a strong message that corruption and negligence will not be tolerated within its ranks.
In the wake of tragic incidents involving Pakistani migrants in Mediterranean boat disasters, the government has vowed to intensify efforts against human trafficking. The Prime Minister directed strict actions against officials and traffickers implicated in facilitating such activities.
Earlier, in June 2023, one of the deadliest maritime disasters unfolded off the coast of Pylos, Greece, claiming hundreds of lives, including 209 Pakistanis. Previously in the year, Pakistanis were among dozens of migrants who perished in similar incidents of Libya and Italy.
The PM condemned human trafficking as a disgraceful offense tarnishing Pakistan's image. He criticised the slow pace of action following the 2023 boat disasters and called for immediate accountability of those involved.
The FIA made headway in investigating the Greece boat disaster. Two immigration officers were arrested, and cases have been registered against three human smugglers. Efforts are underway to identify and prosecute others involved.
In June 2023, an inquiry committee led by Ehsaan Sadiq was tasked with investigating the Greece shipwreck and proposing reforms. Key recommendations from the report included: Major human traffickers should be tried within a month, with courts receiving full support to expedite proceedings. Properties and equipment linked to trafficking must be confiscated under the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA), 2010. Fugitive traffickers abroad should be arrested through Interpol. Investigations into the assets and performance of FIA officials in high-risk regions, such as Lahore, Gujranwala, and Rawalpindi, are essential. And a coordinated national action plan should be developed to tackle human smuggling and enhance legal migration pathways.
To strengthen enforcement mechanisms and deter trafficking, the following measures are being considered: Establishing a Human Smugglers Watch List to monitor networks and impose sanctions. Designating special magistrates for speedy trials of trafficking cases. Increasing the remand period for trafficking suspects to 30 days. Introducing witness protection mechanisms and ensuring compensation for victims through seized assets. And enhancing collaboration between local police and FIA to crack down on smuggling operations.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) was directed to devise a plan for the repatriation of Pakistanis stranded in Libya, in collaboration with Pakistan’s embassies and international partners like the UN and EU. MoFA will also pursue transparency in investigations related to the Greece shipwreck through dialogue with Greek authorities.
The FIA was tasked with improving its operational capabilities, including: Establishing dedicated Anti-Human Smuggling Circles in high-risk areas. Upgrading data systems to track and analyze crimes effectively. And increasing vigilance at airports to identify and intercept potential trafficking victims and suspects, the report said.
The government plans to launch a nationwide awareness campaign against human trafficking. This initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Information, will involve collaborations with TV, Radio, and civil society organisations. Additionally, skill development programs in vulnerable districts will be introduced to reduce migration pressures.
The catastrophic loss of Pakistani lives in Mediterranean boat capsize disasters has highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive action against human trafficking. The government’s multifaceted approach, encompassing accountability, legislative reforms, and international collaboration, aims to curb this menace and protect vulnerable populations from exploitation.
This tragic recurrence accentuates a grave oversight: the failure to implement the Ehsaan Sadiq committee’s recommendations. Despite clear guidelines to prevent such disasters, the concerned authorities inexplicably ignored these measures. Their inaction not only allowed human smuggling networks to persist but also paved the way for yet another devastating tragedy, eerily mirroring the events of a year earlier. This raises serious questions about accountability and the systemic neglect that continues to cost innocent lives.
