Over 400 human smugglers arrested, properties seized, NA told

ISLAMABAD: More than 400 human smugglers have been arrested, properties worth over Rs661 million seized, and bank accounts frozen. These include 17 involved in the 2023 Greece boat wreck and six most-wanted human smugglers listed in the Red Book, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar told the National Assembly on Monday.

During a question hour in the House, the minister further informed lawmakers that legislative measures are under way to deal with human trafficking, and that 35 Mutual Legal Assistance (MLAs) requests have been generated to seek evidence from relevant foreign jurisdictions.

He was replying to a question by Sharmila Farouqi about rise in human trafficking from regions such as Gujrat, Mandi Bahauddin and Wazirabad. Tarar said in addition, 26 Red Notices are issued by NCB Interpol FIA Headquarters, Islamabad to bring back absconding human smugglers to Pakistan.

He said the government has taken strict notice of human smuggling, emphasising that human traffickers will not find any place to hide and will receive strict punishment. He said 416 human smugglers have been arrested, including 17 Proclaimed Offenders (POs) of Greece boat incident of 2023 and six most-wanted human smugglers of Red Book.

The action resulted in the seizure of properties worth Rs661.63 million, recoveries of Rs10.455 million and freezing of bank accounts to the tune of Rs73.51 Million. As many as 24 gang members operating in the area have been arrested, resulting in the seizure of illicit properties worth Rs201.196 million, recovery of Rs1.4 million and freezing of bank accounts of Rs27.99 million. He said legislation has been done to make human trafficking a non-bailable offense. He said an anti-human trafficking cell has been activated, and an awareness campaign launched. He expressed government’s firm commitment to eradicate this menace.

To a question, he said it has been made non-bailable offense, and that life imprisonment will be given to these criminals. He highlighted that the Gujranwala Division is currently experiencing the highest rate of human trafficking incidents in the country, noting that several accidents have occurred as a result of such activities.

The minister further informed lawmakers that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has held multiple meetings to address this serious issue, and legislative measures are under way to combat human trafficking more effectively.

It was told that 35 Mutual Legal Assistance (MLAs) requests have been generated against wanted human smugglers/ absconders to get important evidence from relevant foreign jurisdictions.

In addition, 26 Red Notices have been issued by NCB Interpol FIA HQs, Islamabad to bring back absconding human smugglers to Pakistan for legal action.

Giving details with regard to the strengthening of legal regime and mechanisms, it was told that the FIA has proposed amendments to strengthen the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Act, 2018, Prevention of Smuggling of Migrant Act 2018 and Emigration Ordinance 1979 with a focus on increasing penalties and imposing stricter minimum imprisonment terms for trafficking offenses.

The FIA has issued SOPs for providing guidelines for the investigation of trafficking in person and smuggling of migrant cases. With the support of International Labour Organisation (ILO) and funding from the Australian government, FIA launched a dedicated TIP hotline 051-111-247-786. FIA has developed 5 Years National Action Plan (2021-25) to Combat Human Trafficking and Migrants Smuggling in collaboration with UNODC, on expiry of previous plan (2015-20).

The overall goal of this plan is to combat human trafficking and migrants smuggling in Pakistan by strengthening capacities of key institutions through capacity building, awareness raising, coordination, establishment of necessary mechanisms and international cooperation.