Lahore: Federal Investigative Agency (FIA) registered First Information Report against human smugglers involved in sending youths from various cities of Punjab and Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) to Italy via Greece and Libya.

FIR was registered on behalf of sub-inspector based on statements of victims' families. FIR stated that agents took Rs 2.4 million from youths.

Investigative agency nominated travel agents including Nadeem Aslam, Muhammad Aslam, Mumtaz, Asfi Suniyara and Rana Hasnain.

As many as six missing persons are from Ali Pur Catha whose whereabouts are still unknown since migrants' boat capsized causing one of horrific tragedies in Mediterranean Sea in recent history.

Family members of Ali Pur Chatha village told FIA that eight days ago travel agent took all remaining amount from them on false claim that their loved ones reached their destination in Europe-Italy.

There are 27 missing persons from Gujranwala and nine are from Wazirabad who are still missing since boat drowned off Greece coast.

Civil society of Gujranwala held peaceful protest at Gundlawala Chowk against Greece boat tragedy and expressed their concern against increasing human trafficking.

Protestors claimed that FIA did not even create help desk despite fact that such huge incident occurred.

Published in The Daily National Courier, June, 19 2023

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