Pakistan Cracks Down on Human Smuggling Following Mediterranean Tragedies

Pakistan has intensified its crackdown on human smuggling networks after recent boat disasters in the Mediterranean, resulting in the deaths of at least 43 Pakistanis off Morocco, Al Jazeera reported. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif dismissed Ahmed Ishaq Jahangir, head of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), amid rising public outcry over the government’s failure to prevent such tragedies.

In a sweeping purge, nearly 50 FIA officials were dismissed, and over 50 were blacklisted from immigration duties. The government is enhancing border screening and enforcement to deter illegal migration, which has seen approximately 150,000 Pakistanis enter Europe since 2009.

Officials attribute the ongoing migration crisis to social pressures, with families urging members to seek better opportunities abroad. Despite recent efforts, challenges remain, as smugglers adapt and new routes emerge. The government aims to repatriate stranded Pakistanis while raising awareness about the dangers of illegal migration.