The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Tuesday confirmed the deaths of at least seven Pakistanis in a tragic boat capsizing incident near Libya. The victims were identified through their passports, with six hailing from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kurram district and one from Bajaur.
The confirmation follows a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), which revealed that a boat carrying approximately 65 passengers capsized near the port of Marsa Dela, northwest of Zawiya City, Libya. Among them, 16 were Pakistani nationals.
Pakistan’s Embassy in Tripoli has dispatched a team to Zawiya Hospital to assist local authorities in identifying the deceased. The Crisis Management Unit (CMU) has been activated to monitor the situation, with people advised to contact the helpline at 051-9207887. Additionally, officials in Tripoli can be reached via WhatsApp at 03052185882 and +218 91-6425435, or by cellphone at +218913870577.
Expressing deep concern over the tragedy, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the Foreign Office and Pakistan’s Mission in Libya to ascertain facts and keep the nation informed. He assured that those involved in human trafficking would face strict action, emphasizing that negligence in this matter would not be tolerated.
The incident adds to a series of migrant boat tragedies in recent months. In January, over 40 Pakistanis drowned after a boat carrying irregular migrants from Mauritania to Spain capsized. Moroccan authorities reported that the boat had 86 passengers, including 66 Pakistani nationals, with 36 survivors rescued after the accident.
Similarly, in December 2024, more than 80 Pakistanis lost their lives when boats carrying them capsized near Greece. Despite the dangers, illegal migration continues due to socio-economic hardships and the pursuit of better opportunities abroad. Many individuals spend significant amounts of money to reach Europe through human traffickers.
The Shehbaz-led government has intensified its crackdown on human trafficking networks. Authorities have dismissed 35 FIA officials and removed former FIA Director General Ahmad Ishaq Jahangir over the slow pace of investigations into illegal migration cases. Stricter measures are being enforced to dismantle smuggling rings and prevent further tragedies.
In addition to government action, Lahore’s Jamia Naeemia has issued a religious edict against illegal migration. The decree, issued by Dr. Mufti Raghib Hussain Naeemi and Mufti Imran Hanfi, declares that using unlawful means to travel abroad is both illegal and against Shariah.
