ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) confirmed on Tuesday that at least 16 Pakistanis lost their lives after a boat carrying illegal migrants sank near the Libyan coast, while 10 remain unaccounted for.
In a statement, the Foreign Office (FO) said that a team from the Pakistani Embassy in Tripoli visited Zawiya city, where they met with local officials and the Zawiya hospital administration to gather information.
“According to unverified reports, there were 63 Pakistanis on board, out of which 16 bodies have been recovered and identified as Pakistani nationals based on their passports,” the statement read.
“There are 37 survivors, including one in the hospital and 33 in police custody. Reportedly, around 10 Pakistanis are missing. Three of the survivors are in Tripoli and are being taken care of by the Pakistani Embassy,” it added.
The FO further stated that all identified deceased Pakistanis belonged to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
“The Embassy in Tripoli is in the process of collecting further details and maintaining contact with local authorities,” it concluded.
Rising Incidents and Government Actions
The confirmation came a day after MoFA reported that a vessel carrying around 65 passengers had capsized near the port of Marsa Dela, northwest of Zawiya City, Libya.
As per the ministry, the Pakistani Embassy in Tripoli dispatched a team to Zawiya Hospital to assist local authorities in identifying the deceased.
Additionally, the Crisis Management Unit (CMU) was activated to monitor the situation, and people were advised to contact the helpline at 051-9207887. Relevant officials in Tripoli can be reached via WhatsApp at 03052185882 or on mobile numbers +218913870577 and +218 91-6425435.
Calling the incident “deeply concerning,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that he had directed the Foreign Office and Pakistan’s Mission in Libya to ascertain facts at the earliest and keep the nation fully informed.
He also assured that strict action would be taken against those involved in human trafficking, emphasizing that no negligence would be tolerated.
Surge in Illegal Migration Cases
The tragedy adds to the increasing number of migrant boat accidents, resulting in significant loss of Pakistani lives in recent months.
In January, over 40 Pakistanis died when a boat carrying irregular migrants from Mauritania to Spain capsized.
The ill-fated vessel departed from Mauritania on January 2 with 86 passengers on board, including 66 Pakistanis. Moroccan authorities reported that 36 people were rescued.
Earlier, in December 2024, more than 80 Pakistanis drowned when boats carrying them capsized near Greece.
Driven by economic disparity and the desire for a better life abroad, illegal migration continues despite its dangers, with people paying large sums to human traffickers in hopes of reaching Europe.
The Shehbaz Sharif-led government has ordered strict action against human smugglers and complicit officials.
So far, 35 officials from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) have been dismissed, and former Director General Ahmad Ishaq Jahangir was removed from office over the reportedly slow progress in investigating illegal migration cases.
Apart from government measures, Lahore’s Jamia Naeemia has also issued a religious decree against illegal migration, declaring it both unlawful and against Islamic teachings.
