In a significant crackdown on human trafficking, 38 officers from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) have been dismissed after being implicated in assisting human traffickers. The dismissal follows an investigation into the tragic Greek boat incident, with 13 officers arrested and 30 others suspended. Additional charges have been filed against 12 suspended officers, while Rs109 million in bank accounts linked to traffickers, including the notorious Jaja gang, have been frozen, according to FIA Additional DG Saqib Sultan.
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The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Interior, chaired by Raja Khurram Nawaz, also discussed upcoming legislation aimed at tightening penalties for human trafficking, including longer prison sentences and higher fines. “We are crafting very strict laws in the next session,” Nawaz confirmed.
In a separate development, the committee unanimously approved a bill for the establishment of child courts to address child abuse cases. Proposed by PML-N legislator Syeda Nousheen Iftikhar, the bill ensures child victims will testify with psychologists present and mandates that such cases be resolved within six months.
Shocking revelations also came to light regarding dual citizenship among bureaucrats. PPP’s Abdul Qadir Patel revealed that 22,000 bureaucrats, including nearly all federal secretaries, hold dual citizenship. PTI’s Zartaj Gul called for an investigation into the matter, leading the committee to summon officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Establishment Division for further discussions in the next session.
