ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday acknowledged complaints over passenger off-loading at airports and ordered safeguards for legitimate travelers, as he chaired a meeting on human smuggling a day after Greece rescued hundreds of migrants, including Pakistanis, at sea.
Earlier this week, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) said in a briefing to a parliamentary committee that more than 66,000 passengers had been off-loaded from Pakistani airports this year over suspected irregular travel, while tens of thousands were deported from Gulf states and other countries amid a broader crackdown on illegal migration.
The meeting chaired by Sharif reviewed enforcement measures aimed at curbing human smuggling and illegal immigration, with officials highlighting a 47 percent decline in illegal migration to Europe from the country following intensified screening at departure points.
“In taking action against those traveling illegally or holding suspicious travel documents, special care must be taken to ensure that passengers with valid documents are not affected,” the prime minister said, according to a statement issued by his office.
Sharif also ordered improvements in coordination between the FIA, the Protectorate of Emigrants and other agencies to facilitate Pakistanis traveling abroad legally for employment, while calling for stricter action against corrupt officials.
