Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has unearthed a six-member human smuggling network and arrested a gang leader from Gujrat, after an investigation into the deaths of Pakistani nationals in a migrant boat in February this year, according to Karachi-based Express Tribune newspaper.

According to the report, an individual using the alias Sunyara ran the human-smuggling network with the help of his two sons, one residing in Italy and the other in Libya and four others, from his hometown of Gujrat.

Sunyara's arrest was made by the FIA Gujrat Circle after an investigation based on the information received from the family members of the victims of the boat accident off the Libyan coast, while en route to Italy four months ago.

Pakistanis were among 67 people, who died, when a migrant boat sank in the Libyan waters near Benghazi on February 26, while they headed towards Italy.

Another wooden sailboat sank off the coast of Italy’s southern Calabria region on the same night, claiming the lives of 67 migrants, including two Pakistanis.

“FIA busted a gang consisting of indigenous and foreign-based Pakistani human smugglers & traffickers involved in the said incident. They operate in connivance with their counterparts who reside in Libya & Italy,” said the report.

It identified the gang leader as Muhammad Saeed alias Saeed Sunyara, now residing in Italy; Hamza Sunyara, now residing in Libya; Bilal Sunyara, now residing in Libya; Kashif Sunyara, now residing in Libya and Farhan Ali, now residing in Libya.

The report further said that international cooperation has been sought, including assistance from the Italian authorities against the human traffickers residing in Italy, while the process for issuance of international red warrants was being initiated.

The FIA is also initiating money laundering proceedings against these accused persons, the report said. The FIA has also approached the relevant authorities to seize the bank accounts and properties of the accused involved in human trafficking cases.