Libya boat tragedy: Bodies of six more Pakistanis repatriated

The bodies of six Pakistanis who lost their lives in the Libya boat tragedy have been brought back to Pakistan. Federal Minister for Housing Riaz Hussain Pirzada received the remains at Islamabad Airport.

The deceased included Mansoor Hussain, Shoaib Ali, Abid Hussain, Shoaib Hussain, and Masaib Hussain from district Kurram and Muhammad Ali Shah from district Orakzai.

The ill-fated boat carrying migrants to Italy sank in the Mediterranean on February 5, claiming 26 Pakistani lives.

So far, 16 bodies have been recovered, while efforts are also underway to bring back 37 surviving Pakistanis who are stranded in Libya.

According to unconfirmed reports, it added that there were 63 Pakistanis on the boat and 16 dead bodies were recovered.

There are 37 survivors, including 1 in hospital and 33 in police custody, it maintained, adding that around 10 are missing and three of the survivors are in Tripoli and being looked after by the Embassy.

Federal Minister Riaz Pirzada expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, stating, "This heartbreaking incident has left many families in mourning. We are ensuring that the deceased are returned to their loved ones as soon as possible."

The federal minister urged Pakistan’s youth to avoid dangerous illegal routes to Europe, emphasising the risks of human trafficking and unsafe migration.

He confirmed that his government was working on the repatriation of 37 survivors who remain stranded in Libya. He assured that their return will be facilitated as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, the body of Muhammad Shabbir, a victim of the Greece boat tragedy, was laid to rest in Ghakharwali, Pasrur.

Shabbir had reportedly paid an agent Rs three million to facilitate his journey to Europe. His fate highlights the grave dangers of human trafficking and the desperate measures taken by migrants seeking a better future.

On Feb 16, the Foreign Office confirmed that sixteen Pakistanis were identified among the dead in the Libyan boat accident.

According to the Foreign Office, 13 of the dead are from Parachinar. The Foreign Office further said that ten Pakistanis are still missing in the boat accident.

The relatives of the dead persons said that the bodies of the dead have not been found yet, and they are waiting eagerly. They knocked on the doors of every office to find the bodies, the relatives said.

The family is overwhelmed with grief, and the government of Pakistan should arrange to bring the dead bodies back, the relatives demanded.

A survivor, Haider, said in a telephonic conversation that most of the missing are also from Parachinar.

The list containing details of the dead bodies so far identified as Pakistani nationals based on their Pakistani passports are;

Saqlain Haider s/o  Imran Ali, DR6972382
21303-2783238-3
Kurram, KPK

Siraj Uddin s/o Iqbal Muhammad, BJ2409381
21103-7461938-1
Bajaur, KPK

Shoaib Hussain s/o Noord Ali, QL6912022
21303-6376202-7
Kurram, KPK

Nusrat Hussain s/o Mir Afzal, ZD6895733
21303-9812573-1
Kurram, KPK

Shoaib Ali s/o Muhammad Ali, ZM1828071
21302-5094807-7
Kurram, KPK

Sayed Shehzad Hussain s/o Sayed Wajid Ali Shah, JH6907972
21303-6879797-3
Kurram, KPK

Abid Hussain s/o Imran Ali, PD6902442
21303-6506244-3
Kurram, KPK

Asif Ali s/o Israr Hussain, XJ1830591
21303-9057059-9
Kurram, KPK

Muhammad Ali Shah s/o Abdullah Shah, FX5165331
14301-2849533-3
Orakzai, KPK

Musawir Hussain s/o Sher Mehdi, NL6906012
21303-4617601-5
Kurram, KPK

Aswar Hussain s/o Mandar Ali, PX6906254
21302-5995625-1
Kurram, KPK

Abid Hussain s/o Muhammad Hassan, JJ6906103
21303-5757610-5
Kurram, KPK

Musaib Hussain s/o Jamil Hussain, WU6903842
21303-6303384-9
Kurram, KPK

Anis Khan s/o Musharaf Khan, FT4162171
17301-6719217-7
Peshawar, KPK

Ashfaq Hussain s/o Hussain Afzal, ZL6902121
21303-2570212-7
Kurram, KPK

Shahid Hussain s/o Kafiat Hussain, WH6907692
21303-3335769-1
Kurram, KPK 

Reporters: Anwar Abbas and Aurangzeb Baig