Islamabad:
A panel in the upper house has adopted a bill seeking stricter punishment for human smuggling, a phenomenon that in recent past costs hundreds of Pakistanis.
The Senate Standing Committee for Interior Met Tuesday met at Parliament’s House to undergo decisive legislative changes and infrastructure problems under the presidency of Senator Faisal Saleem.
When he spoke at the committee meeting, domestic secretary Khurram Agha said the bill – prevention of smuggling migrants (amendments), 2025 – seeks to limit human smuggling “, which is increasing”. The proposed legislation, he said, recommends stricter punishment for the crime.
Senator Shahadat Awan defended the bill and said the proposed law was aimed at making it difficult for human smugglers to get bail.
The committee later approved the bill, which introduces a minimum three-year judgment to strengthen deterrence against human smuggling.
The committee members also reviewed the Bill on Prevention of Trading in Persons (Amendments), 2025, and emphasized the need for stricter action against unauthorized agents.
It also discussed the Bill on Emigration (amendment), 2025 with the federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officials confirming an increase in fines to RS1 million to limit illegal activities.
After the ship capable of incidents near Greece last November, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Ministry of Ministry of Department to initiate a crash against human smugglers and traffickers. (With input from app)
