The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Sunday that 21 Pakistani nationals have been identified among the survivors of the Moroccan boat tragedy.

The Atlantic Ocean mig­rant boat tragedy occurred in the waters bet­ween Mauri­tania and Moro­cco earlier this month. As per media reports, 44 out of a total of 65 Pakistani immigrants on board the ship either drowned or died after alleged torture, while 10 bodies have been recovered.

A high-ranking government team was set to be dispatched to Morocco on Saturday to assess the situation and ascertain the loss of Pakistani lives in the boat tragedy.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar directed the foreign and interior ministries to provide efficient and timely assistance to the Pakistani victims.

The survivors and the bodies are currently in Dakhla, a small town near the coast of Morocco.

“Based on verified information, 21 Pakistani nationals have been identified among the survivors of a maritime incident near Dakhla, Morocco,” the foreign office said in a statement today.

“Through our diplomatic mission in Rabat, immediate assistance has been mobilised for the affected nationals,” the statement added.

The Embassy has arranged essential provisions including food, water, medicine, and clothing, the statement said, adding that “local authorities in Dakhla are providing shelter and medical care in response to our diplomatic outreach.”

The embassy’s consular team is currently present in Dakhla to oversee relief operations and coordinate with local authorities.

“[The] government remains in close coordination with relevant authorities in Morocco to ensure comprehensive support for our affected citizens and finalise repatriation procedures.

“We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of overseas Pakistanis and will continue to monitor the situation closely,” the statement said.

The names of the victims, according to the system, are as follows: Muddassir Hussain, Waseem Khalid, Muhammad Khaliq, Abdul Ghaffar, Gul Shameer, Tanveer Ahmed, Syed Muhammad Abbas Kazmi, Ghulam Mustafa, Syed Badar Mohy ud din, Imran Iqbal, Shoaib Zafar, Ali Hassan, Syed Mehtab Ul Hassan, Uzair Basharat, Mohammad Asif, Mujahid Ali, Amir Ali, Mohammad Umar Farooqie, Bilawal Iqbal, Arsalan, Irfan Ahmad.

Opinion

Editorial

The Peca problem
Updated 15 Feb, 2025

The Peca problem

The fight for fundamental freedoms is not the media’s alone, but one that concerns every citizen.
Miners in danger
15 Feb, 2025

Miners in danger

YESTERDAY’S devastating terrorist attack in Harnai, which killed at least 11 coal miners and injured seven others,...
Solar panels scam
15 Feb, 2025

Solar panels scam

THE scam involving over-invoicing to the tune of more than Rs69bn in the import of solar panels raises many ...
Dangerous times
Updated 14 Feb, 2025

Dangerous times

Pakistan accounted for six journalist killings in 2024, of which three were deliberately murdered, according to the CPJ.
Difficult target
14 Feb, 2025

Difficult target

A ONE-two punch delivered by an unforeseen, sharp dip in inflation and an extremely slim base of taxpayers is...
Amazing show
14 Feb, 2025

Amazing show

PAKISTAN’S ability to turn it up at the flick of a switch remains uninhibited. The latest show came in...