40 Pakistanis Die in Boat Capsizing Incidents Near Greece
At least 40 Pakistanis have tragically lost their lives in three separate boat capsizing incidents near Greece. The Pakistani Embassy in Athens confirmed that 35 individuals remain missing, presumed dead, while five bodies have been recovered. The Greek Coast Guard has stopped its search, concluding that the missing passengers are no longer alive.
Details of the Tragic Incidents
The boats, which departed from Libya’s Tobruk port, carried passengers from several countries. The first boat had 45 passengers, six of whom were Pakistanis. The second boat carried 47 people, including five Pakistanis. The third boat, with 83 passengers, had 76 Pakistanis alongside nationals from Bangladesh, Egypt, and Sudan.
The third boat’s rescue efforts saved 39 people, 36 of whom were Pakistani. However, five Pakistani bodies were recovered from the same boat, identified as Sufyan, Rehman Ali, Haji Ahmed, and Abid, with one remaining unidentified. The victims came from Sialkot, Gujrat, and Mandi Bahauddin.
Prime Minister Calls for Action Against Human Trafficking
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed profound concern over the tragic loss of lives and urged immediate action against human trafficking. In a meeting, he called for strict measures against traffickers and requested an urgent report on human trafficking incidents.
The prime minister stressed that such incidents continue to occur, referring to a similar event last year in which 262 Pakistanis lost their lives. He criticized the slow response against traffickers and ordered the prompt implementation of the Integrated Border Management System to monitor international travelers effectively.
Progress in Combating Human Trafficking
During the meeting, officials revealed that authorities had prosecuted 174 human traffickers, but only four of them received convictions. The prime minister emphasized the need for more international cooperation and better public awareness campaigns to prevent further tragedies.
