Pakistan

Pakistan to raise coast guard behaviour with Greece

Published

1 year ago

Farwa

Govt’s plan comes after hearing survivor accounts.
Sanaullah says probe against human traffickers underway.
As per foreign media, 80 people have died in the incident.

Days after the tragic boat capsizing incident near Greece’s coast claimed the lives of hundreds of people, including Pakistanis, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said Pakistan plans to take up the conduct of the Greek coast guard with their government.

The government’s plan comes as a result of horrifying accounts of Pakistani survivors on the ill-fated boat, who said the ship was deliberately sunk and no rescue was provided. Reports in foreign media also revealed that Pakistanis were forced to the bottom of the trawler.

The interior minister added that the remaining Pakistani passengers, who survived the incident, shared their distressing experiences and highlighted the situation’s gravity.

“Investigation into human trafficking is currently underway,” Sanaullah said, speaking during Geo News programme ‘Geo Pakistan’.

He added that the authorities aim to crack down on smugglers with the strictest legal measures.

Commenting on the worsening issue of human trafficking, the minister said the government would seek international collaboration to combat these traffickers.

“Often, the culprits settle cases by paying off the victims. Shockingly, it has been revealed that the accused were receiving amounts ranging from Rs20,00,000 to Rs25,00,000 per person,” he added.

Additionally, Sanaullah said, a committee has been established to tackle the issue of human trafficking, with a deadline of one week to complete their investigation and submit a comprehensive report.

Surprisingly, he added, human rights organisations have largely overlooked this critical issue, focusing on relatively minor concerns instead.

FIA to take down traffickers

A day earlier, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) formed teams in major cities, including Lahore, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi and Islamabad, to bring the human traffickers to justice, expanding the scope of its investigation into the boat tragedy.

The decision was made during a meeting held with FIA Director General Mohsin Hassan Butt at the agency’s headquarters in Islamabad, according to a statement issued by the FIA.

Authorities in Europe still have no clear idea how many people were aboard the boat when it sank — estimates range from 400 to over 700 — but hundreds likely came from Pakistan, and many from Azad Jammu Kashmir. As per foreign media reports, 80 people have died, and hundreds are still missing.

Chairing the meeting, the FIA DG directed to complete the investigations against the human traffickers in connection with the Greece shipwreck at the earliest.

“To prevent such incidents in the future, a meeting of the FIA’s inter-agency task force has also been called tomorrow in which an effective strategy will be chalked out,” read the statement.

Terming the human traffickers and their facilitators “international culprits”, the FIA DG directed to take action against the content relating to crossing the border illegally on social media.

The meeting was told the 83 residents of Punjab were still missing in the tragic incident.

Latest News

To stop begging in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan would implement a stringent Umrah regulation.

Published

19 hours ago

Farwa

The action, according to details, is intended to stop the begging mafia from damaging Pakistan’s reputation in the holy land.

As part of its severe efforts against beggars, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has planned to require pilgrims to sign an affidavit vowing not to beg before leaving for Umrah. Those who violate this affidavit will face strict legal action.

Umrah pilgrims will not be permitted to travel alone; they must travel in groups in order to further discourage begging. This measure ensures that pilgrims are accountable for their actions and are less likely to engage in begging.

In order to discourage begging, tour companies will also have to get pilgrims to sign affidavits.

According to sources, the administration is committed to resolving this issue because begging has damaged Pakistan’s ties with Saudi Arabia.

Four travel agents were arrested by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for sending residents to Saudi Arabia to beg during raids in different parts of Multan.

Mohammad Ejaz, Ghulam, Ghulam Yaseen, and Sadiq Hussain were among the agents that were arrested, according to an FIA official.

The representative clarified that the information from previously detained people was the basis for these arrests.

The agents were allegedly sending citizens to Saudi Arabia with the purpose of begging and then collecting a share of the money earned through begging.

Latest News

These cities’ schools will reopen tomorrow as the smog subsides.

Published

19 hours ago

Farwa

Prior to this, the Punjab government declared that schools will be closed from November 17 to November 25.

A Punjab government announcement states that schools in the Rawalpindi Division will reopen tomorrow since the area’s air pollution has reduced following a reduction in haze.

The notice stated that schools in Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Attock, and Chakwal would reopen tomorrow.

According to reports, the level of toxic fog in Lahore and other Punjabi cities has somewhat decreased.

With an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 497, Lahore was recognised as the second most polluted city in the world.

In the past, the district government of Lahore prohibited outdoor activities in response to the growing pollution menace.

Religious meetings are exempt, but all sports, exhibits, and activities are suspended, as is dining outside of restaurants, according to a statement released by the DC Lahore.

Additionally, stores, marketplaces, and shopping centres will close by 8 PM, however pharmacies, labs, gas stations, and supermarkets will not be affected.

Only grocery and medical departments may remain open in large department stores.

During pollution, the Deputy Commissioner of Lahore has advised residents to use masks and refrain from needless outside activities.

Latest News

SHC considers objections to the plaza’s building next to Mazar-e-Quaid

Published

19 hours ago

Farwa

SHC Justice Zafar Rajput said during Monday’s hearing of a petition against the unlawful construction of a plaza next to Mazar-e-Quaid that “everything has been fair in love and Pakistan.”

“Can you believe over an advertisement in Pakistani conditions?” the justice of the Sindh High Court asked during the hearing.

In Jamshed Town, the petitioner’s attorney said that an unlawful plaza was being constructed over a plot of land. “It has violated the sacredness of Quaid’s mausoleum,” the attorney stated.

The attorney argued that advertisements for the project’s booking have already been published. “What happens when advertisements are published?” the bench asked. The lawyer stated, “Layman will consider the project as lawful after these advertisements are published.”

After calling for additional arguments regarding the petition’s maintainability, the judge postponed the hearing for three weeks.