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Ishaq Dar Directs Timely Assistance for Pakistani Victims of Moroccan Boat Tragedy
Deputy PM Ishaq Dar calls for swift action to assist Pakistani victims of the Moroccan boat disaster. Govt teams to assess the situation and hold human traffickers accountable.
ND
by News Desk
2025-01-18
Ishaq Dar Directs Timely Assistance for Pakistani Victims of Moroccan Boat Tragedy

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Saturday instructed the foreign and interior ministries to ensure efficient and timely support for Pakistani victims of the Moroccan boat tragedy, where 44 Pakistanis tragically lost their lives.

The tragedy unfolded earlier this month in the Atlantic Ocean, between Morocco and Mauritania, when a migrant boat carrying 65 individuals faced catastrophic circumstances. Reports suggest that 44 Pakistani migrants either drowned or died following alleged torture. Ten bodies have been recovered, while 19 survivors are currently in Dakhla, a coastal town in Morocco.

Government Response

Chairing a meeting on issues related to third-country relocations of Afghan nationals, FM Dar reviewed the incident in detail and issued clear instructions for coordinated government action. Attendees included secretaries of the foreign and interior ministries and other senior officials.

In response to the tragedy, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has deployed an official team to Morocco. The delegation includes FIA Additional Director General (North) Muneer Maarth, Additional Secretary Interior Salman Chaudhary, and representatives from the foreign ministry and Intelligence Bureau. The team is tasked with visiting Rabat and Dakhla to assess the situation and compile a comprehensive report for the prime minister.

Crackdown on Human Trafficking

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has launched a crackdown on human traffickers involved in the illegal migration of the victims. Three cases have been registered against suspects in Gujrat and Sialkot districts by FIA crime circles in Gujranwala and Gujrat. The victims, hailing from Sialkot and Mandi Bahauddin, were reportedly lured by promises of a better future abroad.

Humanitarian Efforts

The government is coordinating efforts to repatriate the remains of the deceased and provide medical and psychological assistance to the survivors. The tragedy highlights the urgent need for stringent measures against human trafficking networks and greater public awareness about the dangers of illegal migration.

This incident has once again brought the issue of human trafficking and illegal migration to the forefront, with the government vowing to hold the culprits accountable while ensuring that victims and their families receive justice and support.

 
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IshaqDar

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MoroccanBoatTragedy

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