In a briefing to the Standing Committee on Interior of the National Assembly, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) announced the dismissal of thirty-eight personnel who were involved in aiding human traffickers.
It was reported to the conference, which was presided over by Raja Khurram Nawaz, that 13 officials had also been taken into custody as part of the inquiry into the recent Greek boat accident. Thirty FIA officers have also been suspended, and twelve of them have been charged. Human traffickers, including the infamous Jaja gang, have had their bank accounts worth Rs109 million frozen, FIA Additional DG Saqib Sultan announced.
The committee was told that new legislation designed to punish human traffickers with harsher penalties, such as increased fines and lengthier jail terms, is currently in the works.
“The next session will see the creation of very strict legislation,” Raja Khurram Nawaz stated. “The committee suggested the most severe punishments for those who endanger human life,” he continued.
Approved child courts bill
The bill to create child courts to handle child abuse cases was approved by the committee unanimously. According to the measure, which was put out by PML-N lawmaker Syeda Nousheen Iftikhar, courts must record child victims’ testimonies while psychologists are present. Additionally, it mandates that child abuse cases be settled in six months.
Bureaucrats with dual citizenship
The discussion also included shocking disclosures regarding bureaucrats’ dual citizenship. 99% of federal secretaries are among the 22,000 bureaucrats who hold dual citizenship, according to PPP’s Abdul Qadir Patel.
The committee called for a meeting with representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Establishment Division after PTI’s Zartaj Gul called for more research into the issue.
