FIA 'soft' on human smugglers

LAHORE-FIA will not initiate any action against the human smugglers or the travel agents involved in human trafficking till such time their victims cross the country border, a circular issued by the Director General FIA revealed here on Thursday.
FIA would entertain applications only of such citizens who happen to fall prey to the mischief of human smugglers after they had crossed the border of Pakistan with the help of the culprit concerned.
The circular states that if a travel agent is found involved in committing fraud with any citizen his case would be referred to the Ministry of Tourism, however, the accused in a case, pertaining to the common civilian would be referred to the police.
A senior FIA officer, seeking anonymity said the decision would multiply the miseries of the citizens and result in promoting smugglers activities.
He was of the view that police was already avoiding cases about civil matters like family disputes and monetary issues.
Another FIA officer said while implementing this decision, the policy-makers would leave the affectees at the mercy of police.
A Deputy Director said such circulars had been issued in the past also but could not sustain since such circulars could not provide any relief to the general masses.
He said during the year, 2000 to 3000 inquiries are initiated in routine by the FIA and there are good number of people who are shown the door without having entertained their applications.
Another FIA officer said the reason behind the issuance of such a circular was that most of the people attempt to settle their monetary disputes under the pretext of human smuggling cases only to teach a lesson to their opponents.