ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday vowed strict action against human smugglers as Pakistan confirmed the death of its four nationals in the latest Libya boat tragedy.
These smugglers lure Pakistanis with false promises of better jobs abroad, risking lives at sea.
His statement followed confirmation of four Pakistani deaths in a boat tragedy off Libya’s coast. Officials said a migrant vessel sank near Harawa, killing at least 11 people, including four Pakistanis.
Pakistan’s embassy in Tripoli confirmed the victims using national documents found at the site.
“Deeply saddened by reports from our Mission in Tripoli of yet another boat capsizing… in which at least four Pakistanis have been confirmed dead,” the prime minister posted on social media.
He said the embassy and Foreign Office are working with local authorities to retrieve the remains. “We are taking strong action against those luring citizens into this death trap,” he added. “We will keep cracking down so no more families carry coffins of loved ones lost in these tragedies.”
Deeply saddened by reports from our Mission in Tripoli of yet another boat capsizing incident off the Harawa coast near Sirte City, Eastern Libya, in which at least four Pakistanis have been confirmed dead out of 11 casualties. Our Mission and the Foreign Office are working with…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 16, 2025
The Foreign Office identified the victims as Zahid Mehmood from Gujranwala and Sameer Ali, Syed Ali Hussain, and Asad Ali from Mandi Bahauddin.
Two more bodies were found but remain unidentified. The Foreign Ministry’s Crisis Management Unit is monitoring the situation.
Every year, thousands of Pakistanis risk their lives trying to reach Europe. Many fall into the hands of smugglers who charge large sums for illegal crossings.
The Libya route remains one of the most dangerous and heavily used.
In February, Libyan officials found the bodies of 16 Pakistanis after a similar incident near Zawiya. Nearly 10 more went missing.
Last year, over 260 Pakistanis drowned when an overcrowded boat sank off Pylos, Greece. It was one of the deadliest disasters in the Mediterranean.
Since then, Pakistani authorities have stepped up efforts to stop human trafficking. They have arrested several agents and targeted illegal migration networks.
