The Pakistani government on Saturday dispatched a high-level investigation team to Morocco to probe the tragic deaths of at least 44 Pakistani migrants in a boat accident that occurred off the coast of Morocco. The team, which left Islamabad on Saturday, will conduct an in-depth investigation into the incident that has shaken the nation and raised serious concerns about human smuggling operations. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took the decision to send the team, which includes one official each from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Intelligence Bureau (IB).

According to official sources, the team will visit the Moroccan cities of Rabat and Dakhla, where they will meet the survivors of the ill-fated boat. The investigation will focus on uncovering the full details of the tragic incident, including allegations of torture and inhumane treatment by human smugglers. The boat, which set off from Mauritania on January 2, was carrying 86 migrants, including 66 Pakistanis, on its perilous journey to Spain’s Canary Islands. According to reports, the boat capsized off the coast of Morocco, with over 40 Pakistani nationals feared dead.

The rescue operation, conducted by Moroccan authorities, saved 36 people, but the rest of the passengers perished in the incident. Helena Maleno, the CEO of migrant rights organization Walking Borders, stated that as many as 50 migrants may have drowned in the wreck, with 44 of them being from Pakistan. Maleno further revealed that the migrants had been stranded at sea for 13 agonizing days without any rescue efforts, amplifying the tragedy. Adding to the heart-wrenching details, reports suggest that many of the Pakistani migrants had suffered physical abuse at the hands of human smugglers.

These smugglers allegedly subjected the victims to torture while demanding additional money for their passage, pushing them to the brink of death. The survivors, who are expected to provide critical testimony, will play a key role in shedding light on the circumstances leading to the disaster.In response to the growing outcry, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif instructed the creation of a committee to investigate the Greek boat accident earlier, which involved similar illegal migration attempts.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)