Ambassador Marilina Armellin praises Pakistan’s measures to combat human trafficking
Celina Ali
Islamabad: Italy’s Ambassador to Pakistan Marilina Armellin has praised Pakistan’s measures to combat human trafficking.
Pakistan and Italy recently reached an agreement to finalize a formal deal aimed at jointly combating human trafficking and illegal migration.
This significant development occurred during a meeting between Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, and Ambassador Marilina Armellin. Following the meeting, Minister Naqvi directed the relevant authorities to expedite the finalization of the agreement.
Ambassador Armellin praised Pakistan’s measures to combat human trafficking and assured Minister Naqvi of Italy’s full cooperation. The meeting also included discussions on granting Milan and Islamabad the status of sister cities, enhancing bilateral relations, and addressing other pertinent issues.
Italy remains a principal entry point for migrants attempting to reach Europe by sea, with many aspiring to travel onward to wealthier northern European nations. However, this journey involves navigating the world’s most perilous migration route.
In February, 59 people, including children, perished when a wooden sailing boat carrying migrants crashed against rocks on Italy’s southern coast. The Pakistani Foreign Office confirmed the deaths of two Pakistanis in the incident.
The vessel had departed from Turkey with migrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and several other countries, and it crashed in stormy weather near Steccato di Cutro, a seaside resort on the eastern coast of Calabria.
A senior official from the Pakistani embassy in Italy met with 16 Pakistani survivors of the ill-fated vessel, while four individuals remained missing.
Interior Minister Naqvi informed Ambassador Armellin of an ongoing comprehensive crackdown against human traffickers, highlighting the government’s adoption of a “zero-tolerance policy.”
He stressed that individuals involved in human trafficking would face not only imprisonment but also financial penalties. “Only skilled manpower from Pakistan will be sent to Italy through legal channels,” he added.
