Dubai (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday expressed profound sorrow and deep condolences over the tragic boat accident off the coast of Libya, which resulted in the loss of several Pakistani lives.
According to a Prime Minister’s (PM) Office news release, the premier prayed for the elevation of the souls of the deceased and conveyed his heartfelt sympathies to their grieving families.
PM Shehbaz assured the aggrieved families of the government’s full support during this difficult time.
The prime minister also sought a detailed report from the relevant authorities on the incident and directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) to expedite the identification process of the deceased.
He also emphasized that all necessary assistance should be provided to the affected individuals.
Highlighting the ongoing fight against human trafficking, the prime minister vowed to take stringent action against those involved in such heinous activities.
“No leniency will be tolerated in this matter, and we are taking strong measures to combat human trafficking,” PM Shehbaz said.
At least 16 Pakistani nationals were feared dead after a vessel carrying approximately 65 passengers capsized near the port of Marsa Dela, North West of Zawiya city, Libya on Monday.
According to reports, a team from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) traveled to the site to help identify the victims.
Seven of the deceased were confirmed, with the team using passports and other documents to assist in the identification process. Among those identified, six were from Kurram district, and one hailed from Khyber district of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province.
Meanwhile, the Crisis Management Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) was activated to monitor the situation.
The MoFA or any query related to this incident, the following numbers can be contacted:
Parep Tripoli
03052185882(WhatsApp)
+218913870577(Cell)
+218 91-6425435(WhatsApp)
Crisis Management Unit, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Islamabad.
It is pertinent to mention that the latest tragedy involving migrant boats has added to a growing list of incidents where lives are lost at sea, with dozens of Pakistani nationals drowning in recent months.
One such incident occurred in January when a boat carrying migrants from Mauritania to Spain capsized, resulting in the deaths of over 40 Pakistanis.
The boat, which set sail on January 2, had 86 people aboard, and Moroccan authorities later reported that 66 of the passengers were from Pakistan. They also mentioned that 36 survivors were rescued after the accident.
Before this, a similar disaster took place in mid-December 2024, when more than 80 Pakistanis perished after a boat capsized off the coast of Greece.
This tragic event further highlights the deadly risks faced by those fleeing difficult circumstances and seeking a better life through perilous, illegal migration routes.
Following these heartbreaking events, PM Shehbaz-led govt vowed to take stringent action against the smugglers and the officials who facilitate these dangerous migrations.
As part of this response, 35 officials from the Federal Investigation Agency FIA were dismissed, and the former head of the agency, Ahmad Ishaq Jahangir, was removed due to the slow pace of investigations into the boat incidents and the larger issue of illegal migration.
