Pakistani PM vows crackdown on human traffickers after deaths of four Pakistanis off Libyan coast

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has pledged firm action against human traffickers following the deaths of four Pakistani nationals in a migrant boat that capsized off Libya’s east coast,  Pakistani outlet Geo News reports.

The incident, which occurred on April 12, claimed the lives of 11 people,

Pakistan’s embassy in Tripoli is reportedly coordinating with local authorities to recover the bodies and facilitate their repatriation.

“We are taking decisive action against those who lure our citizens into these deadly traps,” Sharif stated on X. “Our efforts will continue until no family has to endure the pain of losing loved ones in such tragedies.”

A growing number of Pakistanis have perished while attempting to reach Europe via North Africa with the help of human traffickers. On February 11, at least 16 Pakistanis were confirmed dead and 10 others were reported missing after a boat capsized near the Libyan coast. A similar incident in January resulted in over 40 Pakistani deaths when a vessel overturned en route from Mauritania to Spain.

The government has launched a crackdown not only on traffickers but also on officials complicit in enabling the practice. So far, 35 officials from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) have reportedly been dismissed. Additionally, FIA’s former Director General Ahmad Ishaq Jahangir was removed over delays in probing the boat tragedies and broader issues of illegal migration.