Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has vowed to make ‘tough decisions’ to address human trafficking following the Greece boat capsize incidents where at least six Pakistanis were killed.
“The tragic boat accident in Greece is extremely unfortunate,” he said while addressing the federal cabinet in Islamabad on Tuesday.
Among the 80 Pakistanis aboard the vessel, a significant number were young children, according to Pakistan’s Ambassador to Greece, Aamir Aftab. A video obtained by a news outlet shows 46 Pakistani survivors.
The survivors, who hail from the Gujrat, Sialkot, and Kasur districts of Punjab, Pakistan, recounted harrowing details of their journey.
The premier recalled a similar incident in July 2023, where a significant number of Pakistanis drowned, prompting the government to make “tough decisions” at that time. “We will now move forward based on the lessons learned from those decisions.”
He went on to add that human trafficking posed a “serious challenge” and announced plans to convene a meeting to address the issue. “Further decisions will be made in light of the 2023 incident and strict enforcement will follow.”
PM Shehbaz also noted that the State Bank of Pakistan has reduced the interest rate by two per cent, bringing it down to 13 per cent.
The premier claimed that government efforts have led to a decrease in the inflation rate. He expressed that the reduction in interest rates was a “positive development” for traders, investors, and industrialists, stating that promoting investment within the country would also attract foreign investment.
He pointed out that while polio has been eradicated in much of the world, cases were still rising in Pakistan, which he described as “concerning”. He noted that “obstacles” continue to hinder efforts to eliminate polio in the country.
PM Shehbaz directed the health and interior ministries to take “immediate” steps to address the shortage of medicines in Parachinar and to establish contact with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.
The federal cabinet also approved the Criminal Procedure (Code of Criminal Procedure) Amendment Bill 2024 on the recommendation of the law ministry.
“This amendment aims to simplify the process of registering FIRs, allow the use of modern technology in investigations, forensic technique and to enable the audio-video recording of witness statements,” according to a statement from the prime minister’s office.
Furthermore, the amendment bill included provisions to strengthen the role of the prosecutor during investigations. The prosecutor will be able to point out any deficiencies or flaws in the police report.
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Under such amendments, women, individuals under 12 years old, men over 70 years old, and persons with physical or mental disabilities will be able to record their statements at a place of their convenience.
The amendments also stipulated that the trial court would deliver its verdict within one year, and in case of delay, the relevant high court would be held accountable. The appellate court would be required to make a decision on any appeal within six months to one year.
Furthermore, in cases where the police investigation finds the accused innocent and prepares a discharge report, the accused would be entitled to bail.
