Greece boat incident: Pakistan observes mourning over citizens’ deaths

Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Monday announced to observe the day of mourning today over the deaths of more than 300 Pakistanis in shipwreck in Greece.

According to details, the national flag will fly at half-mast today, while special prayers will be offered for the deceased.

Shehbaz Sharif has directed an investigation into the boat capsizing incident in Greece and immediate action against those involved in human trafficking.

He stated that immediate crack down should be initiated against the agents involved in the crime of human trafficking and severely punished. The smugglers who force people to take risky steps by blackmailing them should be identified.

On the other hand, a four-member high-level committee has also been formed to investigate the incident who will collect all the facts of the shipwreck in Greece. Further action will be taken in the light of the committee's report.

It has been directed to present the report to Prime Minister in a week. There will be legislation for strict punishment to the accused, companies and agents involved in the incident.

Suggestions for cooperation and collaboration will be given to solve the problem at global level. The aspect of human trafficking will be investigated and those responsible will be identified.

Since the Greece boat accident, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has started an investigation and appointed Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Alam Shinwari as the focal person for information. FIA has started collecting information about agents.

FIA spokesperson stated that details are being collected from the heirs of the missing and dead persons. They have also issued a public notice to obtain information about the agents.

Officers were also nominated by FIA to investigate the matter. Inspector Hadi Prastan, Inspector Abdullah, Inspector Waqar Awan and Sub-Inspector Artza Ansar are included, who have been posted in various anti-human trafficking circles of FIA.

In order to ascertain facts in the wake of the tragic incident of the capsizing of the boat in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Greece, I have ordered a high-level inquiry. FIA & other law enforcement agencies have been tasked to tighten the noose around the individuals…

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) June 18, 2023