President, PM for fast-tracking measures to combat human trafficking

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have emphasized the need for fast-tracking measures to combat human trafficking, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

In their separate statements on Sunday, both the president and the prime minister expressed deep sorrow and grief over the death of Pakistani nationals in a boat capsizing incident near Greece.

The prime minister instructed Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to submit an inquiry report of the incident as soon as possible. He said concrete steps should be taken to prevent such incidents in future.

Shehbaz Sharif said human trafficking is a heinous crime that claims many lives and destroys many homes every year. He said human traffickers are a cruel mafia which extorts money from poor people by showing them false dreams.

Shehbaz Sharif said such people should be identified and punished severely so that they may not repeat such heinous acts. 

On the directions of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, a special cell has been established at the Pakistani Embassy in Greece to address the emergency situation, arising out due to boat capsizing incident.

The special cell will ensure the identity of the Pakistanis and the access of their relatives to their loved ones.

As many as 47 Pakistanis, affected in yesterday’s boat sinking incident, have been identified and rescued.

On the instructions of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar is personally monitoring the activities of identifying and helping Pakistanis affected in the incident.

The Pakistani Embassy in Greece has provided WhatsApp facility on telephone number: +306943850188 for identification of victims of tragic boat capsizing incident.

Upon Prime Minister’s immediate notice, the Pakistani embassy has also written a letter to the relevant department of the government of Greece.

He said the government of Pakistan and the Pakistani Embassy in Greece will provide all possible assistance to the victims of the incident and their families.

In his statement, President Asif Zardari said human trafficking is a heinous practice as people lose their loved ones in it.

The president offered condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for fortitude to them.

Foreign Office activates CMU to facilitate Pakistanis in Greece

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has activated its Crisis Management Unit in Islamabad to facilitate Pakistanis in Greece regarding the boat capsizing incident.

According to the Foreign Office, the Embassy of Pakistan in Athens is in contact with the Hellenic Coast Guard and with the Coast Guard of Chania, which are directly dealing with the search and rescue operation.

The Embassy officials have also reached Crete Island of Greece to meet with the rescued Pakistanis and provide them with any assistance required.

Pakistani nationals in Greece and their families are encouraged to contact the Crises Management Unit at the following telephone number in Islamabad: 051-9207887. 

They can also contact at Email: cmu1@mofa.gov.pk

Families of the missing Pakistanis can also contact the Embassy of Pakistan to share details at the following number: +30-6943850188

Forty-seven Pakistanis are among those, who have been rescued following yesterday’s incidents of boats capsizing in the south of Crete Island of Greece. One Pakistani is confirmed to be among the dead.

Mohsin Naqvi takes notice

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has taken notice of the tragic boat capsizing incident near a Greece island.

Expressing his concern over the incident, Mohsin Naqvi directed to conduct a thorough investigation in this regard. He strongly condemned human trafficking, calling it an intolerable crime that has destroyed many families.

He urged the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to take nationwide, unbiased action against the trafficking mafias involved in these illegal activities.

Mohsin Naqvi expressed his deep sorrow and grief over death of Pakistani migrants who were going to Europe.

Mohsin Naqvi also summoned a detailed inquiry report over the tragic incident, while a committee was also constituted to conduct thorough investigation into the sad incident. The committee will submit detailed report in five days to the interior minister.

Mohsin Naqvi said that the government has already adopted zero tolerance policy against human smuggling and anyone who found involved in human smuggling will be dealt with iron hands.

At least five Pakistanis drowned after their wooden boat capsized off Greece's southern island of Gavdos.

So far 39 men — most of them from Pakistan — have been rescued by cargo vessels sailing in the area. They have been transferred to the island of Crete.

Coastguard boats, merchant vessels, an Italian frigate and naval aircraft have been searching the area since Greek authorities were alerted about the incident on Friday night.

In separate incidents on Saturday, a Malta-flagged cargo vessel rescued 47 migrants from a boat sailing about 40 nautical miles off Gavdos, while a tanker rescued another 88 migrants some 28 nautical miles off the tiny island in Greece's south.

Reporter Awais Kiyani/Agencies