The Foreign Office (FO) has announced plans to repatriate 22 Pakistani survivors of a recent maritime tragedy near Morocco’s Dakhla port in phased batches.
“After thorough investigations and coordination with Moroccan authorities, these individuals will be returned to Pakistan in stages,” said FO spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan.
The spokesperson noted that the Pakistani Embassy in Rabat has been actively collaborating with Moroccan authorities to manage relief efforts and finalize the intricate repatriation process. He added that the consular team stationed in Dakhla played a crucial role in organizing the survivors’ return.
“The Foreign Ministry’s Crisis Management Unit (CMU) is closely monitoring the situation, ensuring support for the survivors, and maintaining communication with their families,” Khan stated.
Identity verification, a key aspect of the process, has been expedited through cooperation with the interior ministry and other relevant departments, according to the FO.
Separately, the ministry is facilitating the return of 11 Pakistani nationals from Mauritania who voluntarily chose to return home. These individuals will undergo a separate repatriation process, the FO spokesperson added.
The government remains committed to prioritizing the welfare of Pakistani nationals abroad and will continue to provide all possible assistance, he emphasized.
The tragic maritime accident occurred on January 16, when a boat carrying irregular migrants capsized en route from Mauritania to Spain. Among the 50 migrants who lost their lives, 44 were Pakistani nationals.
Although Moroccan authorities rescued 36 Pakistanis from the ill-fated vessel, others remain unaccounted for and are presumed dead, based on reports from the Pakistani Embassy.
The vessel, carrying 86 migrants—including 66 Pakistanis—departed from Mauritania on January 2. Moroccan authorities confirmed rescuing 36 survivors following the incident.
According to Walking Borders, a record 10,457 migrants died attempting to reach Spain in 2024, with most fatalities occurring on the Atlantic route from West Africa to the Canary Islands. This translates to an average of 30 deaths per day.
Last week, the federal government initiated a high-level investigation into the tragedy. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has established a special committee to oversee the inquiry.
