KURRAM/BAJAUR: The bodies of 12 Pakistanis, including nine from Kurram and one from Bajaur, who lost their lives in a boat tragedy in Libya on Feb 5, were laid to rest in their ancestral areas after their mortal remains were brought back to the country from abroad.

Nine of the victims hailing from Kurram district were flown to Parachinar in a helicopter after the bodies arrived at Islamabad International Airport.

According to the Foreign Office, the identities of the 16 victims have been confirmed, 13 of whom are from Parachinar.

Kurram deputy commissioner Ashfaq Ahmed said that the bodies of another four individuals would arrive in Islamabad on Sunday (today), and would be subsequently transported to Parachinar by helicopter.

Mushahid Hussain, a brother of the deceased, Abid Hussain, 20, said Abid had got married four years ago. He said that the family had been shattered by his loss.

Another resident, Sabir Hussain said that his younger brother, Asif Hussain, had left home without telling anyone due to insecurity and unemployment in Kurram after completing his matriculation. He said the situation in Kurram had deteriorated to the extent that nobody would like to stay here due to lack of security.

Mukhtar, a brother of the deceased, Ashfaq Hussain, said that their home was devastated by Ashfaq’s loss, who had yet to get married. “Due to insecurity, he left the home to seek a better life in Europe.”

In Bajaur, the body of 27-year-old Sirajuddin, who was among the boat tragedy victims, was laid to rest in his native Sadiqabad town after the funeral prayers held soon after Friday prayers.

Scores of people from different walks of life, relatives and friends attended the funeral.

According to the family and friends, Sirajuddin had done masters in political science and had worked in Saudi Arabia for about three years before attempting to move to Europe.

Published in Dawn, March 1st, 2025