Islamabad, December 15, 2024: The Foreign Office has confirmed the death of one Pakistani national and the rescue of 47 others after a boat capsized off the coast of southern Greece. In response to the incident, Pakistan’s Crisis Management Unit has been activated to assist the affected families.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch stated that a search and rescue operation is ongoing. However, she refrained from confirming the exact number of dead or missing Pakistanis.
The Pakistani embassy in Athens is coordinating closely with the Hellenic Coast Guard, which is leading the rescue operation. Embassy officials have also traveled to Crete Island, where the survivors are currently located, to provide assistance.
Earlier reports from Reuters indicated that 39 men, primarily Pakistani nationals, were rescued by cargo vessels in the area and transferred to Crete. The exact number of missing individuals remains unconfirmed.
A large-scale search operation involving coastguard boats, merchant vessels, an Italian frigate, and naval aircraft continues in the area after Greek authorities were alerted to the mishap late Friday night.
Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi has directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to intensify nationwide operations against human smuggling networks.
“These mafias are responsible for destroying countless families and must be eradicated,” Naqvi said, calling for swift action against those exploiting vulnerable individuals through false promises.
On the directive of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a high-level committee has been formed to investigate the incident. Led by the additional secretary of the Ministry of Interior, the committee has been tasked with submitting its findings within five days.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed profound sorrow over the loss of Pakistani lives, condemning human smuggling as a heinous crime. “These mafias use deceptive tactics to exploit people, leaving families shattered,” he stated.
The Prime Minister also directed the Interior Minister to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure those responsible are brought to justice. “Concrete steps must be taken to prevent such tragedies in the future,” he added.
President Asif Ali Zardari echoed similar sentiments, condemning human smuggling as a despicable act. He offered condolences to the victims’ families and urged expedited efforts to dismantle smuggling networks.
Pakistan Peoples Party Vice President and Senator Sherry Rehman also expressed grief over the tragedy. She lamented the recurring loss of lives due to human trafficking and highlighted a similar incident last year in which over 400 Pakistanis perished in Greek waters.
“To combat human smuggling, the perpetrators must face severe punishment,” she emphasized, calling for urgent action to prevent further tragedies.
