Karachi, Jun 19: More than 300 Pakistani nationals are feared to have been killed after an overcrowded boat with around 750 people on board sank off the coast of Greece, a senior leader has said, even as at least 12 persons suspected of human trafficking were arrested from different parts of Pakistan.
At least 400 Pakistanis, 200 Egyptians and 150 Syrians, including around two dozen Syrian women and young children were on the packed boat when it capsized in open seas off Greece last week.
Senate Chairman Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani disclosed the numbers on Sunday and sent condolences to the grieving families of the dead.
Chairman Senate of Pakistan Sanjrani deeply mourns the tragic loss of over 300 Pakistani lives in the recent boat accident off the coast of Greece, his office said in a tweet.
“With heavy hearts, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the grieving families during this time of immense sorrow and grief. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, and we pray that the departed souls find eternal peace,” he said.
“This devastating incident underscores the urgent need to address and condemn the abhorrent act of illegal human trafficking,” he said.
Pakistan's Foreign Office said on Saturday that 12 Pakistanis had been found alive as National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf urged the government to “immediately investigate” the incident.
The Greece boat tragedy has exposed the refugee crisis confronting the European Union as tens of thousands seek sanctuary from war, persecution and poverty.
The number of Pakistanis traversing dangerous routes to Europe in search of a better future has reverberated through the country, prompting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to declare Monday a national day of mourning for those who died in the boat's sinking.
Taking to Twitter on Sunday, Sharif ordered a “high-level inquiry” into the incident.
“I assure the nation that those found negligent towards their duty will be held to account. Responsibility will be fixed after the inquiry and heads will roll,” Sharif wrote.
A top Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) official said at least 12 suspected human smugglers, including one who was trying to board a flight from the Karachi International Airport to Dubai, have been arrested since last Friday.
“These people are involved in luring and trying to smuggle Pakistanis illegally to Europe via the Middle East and Africa and some of them are also involved in sending Pakistanis on the boat which sank in Greece,” DIG Alam Shinwari said.
Shinwari said investigations had confirmed that 21 Pakistanis hailing from Khuiratta and Charhoi in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir were on the boat.
