Families Protest Against Human Traffickers in Punjab, Seek Recovery of Missing Loved Ones

Gujrat, Pakistan – Families and children of those missing in the June 2023 Libyan Coast boat capsize tragedy staged a protest in Gujrat on Saturday, calling for urgent action against human trafficking networks.

Protesters from Gujrat, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Sheikhupura, and Azad Kashmir’s Bhimber district gathered at Kutchery Chowk, marching to the Gujrat Press Club with banners and placards demanding government intervention.

The families claimed that at least 75 Pakistanis remain missing from the deadly 2023 tragedy. They also revealed distressing details about phone calls from alleged human traffickers in Libya, demanding ransom for releasing captives or returning the bodies of the deceased.

Traffickers Exploit Families' Pain

Protesters shared harrowing stories of receiving calls from numbers once used by their missing loved ones. The alleged traffickers, they said, are demanding large sums for:

• Releasing detained individuals held in Libyan safe houses.
• Returning bodies of the deceased victims.
• Allowing families to speak with captives via phone.

Despite providing this evidence to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), families expressed frustration over the lack of action.

“Hundreds of Pakistanis have been held captive for years. Our government needs to intervene,” said one protester.

Demanding Government Intervention

The protesters urged Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif to step in, ensuring:

• The safe recovery of captives held in Libya.
• The repatriation of bodies of deceased victims.
• Stricter enforcement against human trafficking networks.

Protesters criticized FIA’s response to the crisis, despite dozens of cases filed against traffickers and multiple arrests reported in Gujrat and Gujranwala.

“Our suffering is ignored while these traffickers continue their operations unchecked,” they said.

The 2023 Libyan Tragedy

The boat capsize off Libya’s coast in June 2023 claimed hundreds of lives, including many Pakistanis seeking better opportunities abroad. The tragedy has exposed the grim realities of human trafficking, with families still desperately awaiting news of their loved ones.

Key Takeaways

• Families demand justice and immediate action against human traffickers.
• At least 75 Pakistanis remain missing, with hundreds reportedly detained in Libya.
• Protesters call for prime ministerial intervention and stricter accountability.