The News reported Monday that the Federal Investigating Agency (FIA) Human Trafficking Wing in Gujrat has arrested the ringleader of the Greece boat tragedy.

In the boat accident, Asif Sanyara, the main suspect, is the brother of the accused, Muhammad Saleem Sanyara.

It is alleged that the accused collected millions of rupees to transport Pakistanis illegally to Europe and other countries. The money he sent to his brother, Asif, was sent through hundi or hawala.

In total, nine cases were filed against the accused by the FIA Gujarat Circle.

After the boat accident, the accused went into hiding and was arrested using advanced technology, according to an FIA spokesperson.

Asif Sanyara, who is currently in Libya, has built a lot of safe houses. The accused is still being investigated.

Greece ship tragedy

Overloaded boat sank in open seas off Greece last month, killing at least 350 Pakistanis.

On June 14, an over 700-person fishing boat sank off the coast of Pakistan, with 281 Pakistani families contacting the government for assistance.

About 50 miles (80 km) from Pylos in southern Greece, hundreds of people were aboard a fishing boat that sank after being packed with people from Egypt, Syria, and Pakistan.

People are risking their lives to reach Europe in search of a better life due to Pakistan’s economic meltdown in recent months.

Human traffickers and their agents who told authorities that their ringleader was based in Libya have been arrested by the authorities.

After flying legally to Dubai, Egypt and Libya, these human smugglers carried them illegally through the sea route to Europe for around $8,000 a person.

The government has also amended the law to plug loopholes and ensure convictions in cases of human smuggling. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered a high level inquiry to identify and arrest those involved in human smuggling.

Human traffickers have not been convicted for over five years, mostly because victims’ families agreed to pardons in exchange for money, according to officials. 

Passenger offloaded

At the Karachi Airport, FIA Immigration offloaded a passenger who had a fake visa to go to Canada.

In accordance with the initial investigation, the passenger transferred Rs2,000,000 to the agents to obtain the visa.

Additionally, Fayaz Hussain and Salik Sharif were arrested after the passenger identified them.