Pakistan Hosts Regional Conference to Combat Migrant Smuggling After Greece Tragedy

A two-day regional conference on combating migrant smuggling is being held in Islamabad, Pakistan on 26 April 2024 , organized by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the European Union (EU). The conference aims to address the challenges of migrant smuggling, which is a highly profitable and low-risk crime perpetrated by organized, multinational networks.

The conference emphasizes the importance of international collaboration, particularly in light of the tragic capsizing of a trawler off southern Greece in 2023 that claimed the lives of 350 Pakistani migrants. Foreign Secretary Syrus Sajjad Qazi and UNODC Representative in Pakistan Jeremy Milsom highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to ensure safe, orderly, and regular migration.

Why this matters: The conference highlights the severity of migrant smuggling as a lucrative criminal enterprise and the necessity of coordinated international efforts to combat it effectively. The recent Greece tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of the human cost of this illicit trade and the importance of addressing its root causes through collaborative action.

Participants at the conference will discuss common challenges, best practices in border security and investigations, and the feasibility of establishing a regional task force to combat migrant smuggling. The event, held under the PROTECT project funded by the EU, aims to facilitate information-sharing among participating countries and promote victim-centered approaches.

The conference is seen as evidence of the collaborative efforts of key countries along critical migration routes to counter migrant smuggling. "Migrant smuggling is a highly profitable, low-risk crime perpetrated by organized, multinational networks," said Jeremy Milsom, emphasizing the complex nature of the issue and the need for global cooperation to address it effectively.

Key Takeaways

• Pakistan hosts regional conference to combat migrant smuggling.
• Conference aims to address challenges of lucrative, low-risk crime.
• Highlights need for international collaboration after Greece tragedy.
• Participants to discuss border security, investigations, and task force.
• Conference emphasizes complex nature of issue and need for global cooperation.