The federal government has decided to conduct a probe into the Moroccan boat tragedy after more than 40 Pakistanis were feared drowned in another incident of capsizing of a boat.
A four-member delegation has been sent to Morocco to investigate the incident. The boat capsized off West Africa’s Atlantic coastline. This point has emerged as the primary point of departure of immigrants to Europe.
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed grief over the deaths and stressed the need for strict measures to curb human trafficking. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also expressed sorrow over the incident.
Spain-based migrant rights group, Walking Borders, said that 50 people have died on their way to the Canary Islands, 44 of them were Pakistanis. The group says the migrant began their journey on January 2nd. “They spent 13 days of anguish on the crossing without anyone coming to rescue them,” Walking Borders CEO Helena Maleno said on X.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday issued a statement stating that a boat carrying 80 passengers including several Pakistani nationals, setting off from Mauritania, has capsized near the Moroccan port of Dakhla.
“Our Embassy in Rabat is in touch with local authorities. Additionally, a team from the Embassy has been dispatched to Dakhla to facilitate the Pakistani nationals and provide necessary assistance,” the statement said.
The team sent for investigations will be headed by Additional Secretary Interior Salman Chaudhry, with Additional Director FIA Punjab North Munir Masood also part of the team. Representatives from the Foreign Office and Intelligence Bureau (IB) will also accompany the team.
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During their three-to-four-day visit, the team will meet the Pakistani survivors and will also investigate allegations of violence and murder against Pakistani citizens.
According to reports from international media, almost all the Pakistani migrants were from cities in eastern Punjab province. The families of victims say they have paid millions to human traffickers for taking their family members to Europe.