PM Shehbaz reiterates his commitment to tighten the noose against elements involved in human trafficking
ISLAMABAD, June 18 (SABAH): Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has ordered relevant authorities to conduct inquiry into the deplorable boat capsizing incident in the Mediterranean Sea near Greece. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announces to observe as Day of Mourning tomorrow (Monday).
According to the notification issued by the Prime Minister Office on Sunday:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while expressing his grief on the tragic incident of a boat carrying migrants capsized off the coast of Greece resulting in deaths of Pakistan’s citizens, is pleased to direct that tomorrow (Monday) shall be observed as Day of Mourning. The national flag shall fly on half-mast. Special prayer will be offered for the killed persons. Further necessary action shall be taken accordingly.
The notification has been issued by Special Secretary to the Prime Minister, Sarah Saeed.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has also formed four-member committed headed by Director General National Police Bureau Ahsan Sadiq to probe the matter. Additional Secretary (Africa) Javed Ahmed Umrani has been appointed member of the committee; meanwhile DIG Azad Jammu and Kashmir Poonch Region Sardar Zaheer Ahmed and Joint Secretary Interior Minister (FIA) Faisal Naseer are also included in the committee.
The committee will collect all the evidences regarding capsizing of the boat in Greece. The committee will also hold investigation into the aspect of human trafficking and will identify the responsible people. The suggestions will be given regarding resolution of the problem at international level through cooperation and shared action. The committee will also review immediate, short-term and long term legislation. Strict legislation will be carried out for punishment of individuals, companies and agents responsible for such incidents. The committee will present its repot to prime minister in one week time. Further action will be taken in light of the committee report.
Reiterating his commitment to tighten the noose against the elements involved in the human trafficking, PM Shehbaz Sharif gave directions to Law Enforcement Agencies to take immediate crackdown against agents involved in heinous crime of human trafficking and punish them severely.
Expressing deep sorrow over the death of Pakistanis in this awful incident, he directed Pakistani Embassy in Greece to take care of the 12 Pakistanis, who were rescued in the incident.
On the directives of the Prime Minister, FIA appointed DIG Alam Shinwari as the focal person for the information and facilitation of those killed and injured in the incident.
Meanwhile, the Chief Secretary of Azad Jammu and Kashmir also appointed a focal person to contact the Pakistani embassy and Greek authorities and for the information related to the dead and injured.