Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed law enforcement agencies (LEAs) to locate and apprehend those involved in human smuggling following the recent boat tragedy off the coast of Greece.
The overloaded boat, carrying approximately 750 people according to a European rescue support charity, sank in open seas, and a significant number of Pakistanis are feared dead, although an official confirmation of the exact count is still pending.
On Saturday, the Foreign Office confirmed that 12 Pakistanis had been found alive, while National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf called on the government to promptly investigate the incident. In response, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has formed a four-member team to identify those responsible.
According to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) today, PM Shehbaz has directed LEAs to track down the “agents” involved in human trafficking and ensure they face justice. Additionally, the PM has appointed DIG Alam Shinwari as the focal person at the FIA to facilitate information about the deceased and injured individuals.
The PMO announced that the Chief Secretary of Azad Jammu and Kashmir has also appointed a focal person to liaise with the Pakistani embassy in Greece and local authorities, providing assistance to the injured and supporting the families of the deceased.
PM Shehbaz has instructed the Foreign Office to take immediate action on the boat capsizing incident and reports of potential Pakistani victims.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister ordered Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah to gather details through the ministry and submit a report after conducting a thorough investigation into the matter. The PM emphasized the need for utmost effort in assisting all Pakistanis affected by the tragedy, stating that he will not tolerate any negligence or incompetence.
PM Shehbaz also called for the establishment of a help desk to promptly address the concerns of the affected families and ensure they receive all necessary information. He directed Pakistani ambassadors in Greece and Egypt to take emergency measures to address the situation.
Expressing deep grief and sorrow over the loss of Pakistani lives in the boat tragedy, PM Shehbaz instructed the Pakistani embassy in Greece to provide support and care for the 12 rescued citizens.
In a separate statement, the Prime Minister’s Office announced that June 19 (Monday) will be observed as a “Day of Mourning” across the country, with the national flag flying at half-mast.
The FIA has appealed to citizens with any information related to the human traffickers involved in the incident to come forward and share the details. Contact numbers, names of officials, and email addresses of FIA offices have been provided for citizens to report any relevant information. The FIA assures the public that the identities of those sharing information will be kept strictly confidential.
— Federal Investigation Agency – FIA (@FIA_Agency) June 17, 2023
