
By Commander, U.S. Naval Forces
When Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan dismissed Ahmed Ishaq Jahangir from his role as head of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Wednesday, it marked a significant move in a broader organizational shake-up following the tragic drowning of at least 43 Pakistanis near Morocco earlier in January.
The incident was reported on January 15, when Moroccan officials saved 36 individuals after their boat had been adrift in the Mediterranean Sea for 13 days. At least 37 more people, including several from Pakistan, are still unaccounted for.
In the month preceding this event, Greek authorities, along with merchant navy vessels, conducted four distinct rescue operations off the Greek coast, successfully saving a minimum of 200 individuals. Unfortunately, nearly 50 lives were lost, with at least 40 of the deceased being Pakistani nationals.
These occurrences have prompted an uncommon response from the government led by Sharif, targeting officials responsible for combating the human smuggling networks that entice individuals from rural areas of Pakistan with promises of a better life in Europe. These networks often lead them along perilous and illegal migration routes, which frequently culminate in death and tragedy in the Mediterranean Sea.
Prior to Jahangir’s removal, nearly 50 officials from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) were dismissed due to alleged negligence concerning the incidents in Greece and Morocco. Furthermore, the FIA announced that over 50 officials had been barred from working at any immigration checkpoints or anti-human trafficking units nationwide, following a government investigation. Several arrests were also made targeting individuals involved in facilitating human smuggling operations.
These actions come in response to increasing criticism directed at the government for its failure to dismantle human smuggling networks and its apparent inability to protect citizens who feel compelled to undertake perilous journeys to Europe in violation of migration laws.
A senior government official, who is part of the task force established by Prime Minister Sharif, indicated that the prime minister is now closely monitoring the government’s response.
“The prime minister is treating these incidents with utmost seriousness. He understands the potential implications and reputational harm to the country, as well as the tragedy faced by families of those who perish or become stranded in distant countries,” the official informed Al Jazeera, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
“We have enhanced our border screening processes and are also concentrating on enforcement and prosecution. Smuggling individuals out of Pakistan is now set to become a significantly challenging endeavor,” the official asserted.