The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has confirmed the deaths of seven Pakistanis in a tragic boat capsizing incident off the coast of Libya. The victims, six from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kurram district and one from Bajaur, were identified through their passports, according to FIA officials on Tuesday.
This confirmation follows an earlier statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), which reported that the boat, carrying approximately 65 passengers, capsized near Marsa Dela, northwest of Zawiya City, Libya. The boat was carrying 16 Pakistanis among the passengers.
The Pakistan Embassy in Tripoli responded promptly, sending a team to Zawiya Hospital to assist local authorities in identifying the deceased. The Ministry activated its Crisis Management Unit (CMU) to monitor the situation, with a helpline set up for concerned families. Authorities in Tripoli can be reached via several phone numbers for further assistance.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, calling the incident “deeply concerning,” has directed the Foreign Office and Pakistan’s mission in Libya to investigate the situation urgently. He also pledged strict action against those involved in human trafficking, emphasizing zero tolerance for negligence in such matters.
This incident adds to the growing list of boat tragedies involving Pakistani migrants. In January, over 40 Pakistanis perished in a boat tragedy off the coast of Mauritania, while more than 80 lost their lives near Greece in December 2024. Despite the risks, illegal migration continues to attract individuals desperate to escape socio-economic challenges and seek a better life in Europe.
In response, the government has taken measures against human traffickers and officials facilitating illegal migration. The FIA has dismissed 35 officials, and the former director general was removed for the slow pace of investigations into recent tragedies.
Religious authorities, including Lahore’s Jamia Naeemia, have also condemned illegal migration, declaring it not only unlawful but also against Shariah principles.
