21 Pakistanis Survive Morocco Boat Tragedy, Confirms FO

Pakistan’s Foreign Office has published a list of 21 Pakistani nationals who survived a tragic boat accident off the coast of Morocco.

According to the FO spokesperson, verified reports confirm that 21 Pakistanis were rescued during a maritime operation near Dakhla.

The Pakistani embassy in Rabat responded swiftly, providing food, water, clothing, and medical assistance to the survivors. Medical teams are actively supporting the relief efforts, while the embassy and government continue to work closely with Moroccan authorities to ensure proper care for those affected.

The list of survivors includes individuals such as Mudassir Hussain, Waseem Khalid, Muhammad Khaliq, Abdul Ghaffar, and others.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar directed authorities to provide immediate support to the victims of the tragedy, in which over 40 Pakistani nationals are feared to have drowned while attempting to reach Europe.

The Foreign Office confirmed that the boat, carrying 80 passengers including several Pakistanis, capsized near Morocco en route to Spain. The vessel had departed Mauritania on January 2 with 86 migrants, including 66 Pakistanis, according to the rights group Walking Borders. Moroccan authorities rescued 36 passengers on Wednesday.

The boat was heading toward Spain’s Canary Islands when it tragically sank. Walking Borders CEO Helena Maleno reported that 44 of the presumed 50 victims were Pakistani nationals.

The incident highlights the perilous journeys migrants undertake in pursuit of better opportunities in Europe, often risking their lives.

In Islamabad, Ishaq Dar instructed the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior to provide swift assistance to the victims. Reports suggest that most of the Pakistani passengers were from eastern Punjab.

In response to the growing issue of human trafficking, the government has intensified efforts to crack down on smugglers facilitating illegal migration, with several arrests made.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has emphasized the need for international collaboration to combat human trafficking networks and directed the Federal Investigation Agency to prepare a detailed report on migration-related incidents over the past year.

Additionally, he urged the implementation of an Integrated Border Management System (IBMS) to monitor and curb illegal migration.