An official in Pakistan confirmed that at least 12 persons suspected of human trafficking were arrested from different parts of Pakistan as the federal government tightened its noose around human smugglers following the recent Greece boat tragedy that highlighted the plight of Pakistanis trying to enter European countries illegally, an official said on Monday.

An overloaded boat carrying around 750 people, aiming to enter Europe illegally, sank in open seas off Greece. It is believed that several Pakistanis were among the victims, though their exact number is unknown.