ISLAMABAD:
A panel of the upper house has passed a bill seeking stricter punishment for human smuggling, a phenomenon which has in the recent past cost the lives of hundreds of Pakistanis.
The Senate Standing Committee on Interior on Tuesday met at the Parliament House to review crucial legislative amendments and infrastructure concerns under the chairmanship of Senator Faisal Saleem.
Speaking at the committee meeting, Interior Secretary Khurram Agha said the billthe Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants (Amendment) Bill, 2025 seeks to curb human smuggling “which is on the rise”. The proposed legislation, he said, recommends stricter punishment for the crime.
Senator Shahadat Awan defended the bill, stating that the proposed law was aimed at making it difficult for the human smugglers to get bail.
The committee later approved the bill, which introduces a minimum three-year sentence to strengthen deterrence against human smuggling.
The committee members also reviewed the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons (Amendment) Bill, 2025, stressing the need for stricter action against unauthorized agents.
It also discussed the Emigration (Amendment) Bill, 2025 with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officials confirming an increase in fines to Rs1 million to curb illegal activities.
After ship capsizing incidents near Greece in November last year, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered the Ministry of Interior to initiate a crackdown against human smugglers and traffickers. (WITH INPUT FROM APP)
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