Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday directed authorities concerned to take stringent legal action against all human trafficking groups operating within the country, aiming to set a clear example and dismantle such illicit networks.
Chairing a meeting in Islamabad regarding the progress on measures taken against human trafficking, he emphasized the immediate confiscation of properties and assets belonging to traffickers to send a strong message.
The prime minister praised the recent efforts of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in taking action against government officials linked to human trafficking, and urged further strengthening of the prosecution process.
He recommended appointing top-tier lawyers for legal proceedings, in consultation with the Ministry of Law and Justice, to ensure effectiveness.
PM Shehbaz also directed the Foreign Office (FO) to prioritize the extradition of Pakistanis running human trafficking operations abroad, expediting legal processes with foreign countries.
He further directed that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, to launch an awareness campaign to inform the public about the importance of using legal channels for overseas employment.
The prime minister also stressed the importance of developing technical training institutions to provide certified professionals for the global job market.
He called for an enhanced screening process for individuals traveling abroad, particularly at airports, to prevent human trafficking.
The meeting was attended by Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Federal Minister for Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan Engineer Amir Muqam, and senior officials from the relevant departments.
