President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow on Thursday over the tragic deaths of over 40 Pakistanis in a boat accident off the coast of Morocco.
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO), the boat, carrying 80 passengers, capsized, resulting in the deaths of more than 40 Pakistani nationals. The survivors, including Pakistanis, were rescued and taken to a camp near Dakhla for assistance and shelter.
A statement from the FO confirmed that Pakistan’s embassy in Rabat was promptly notified of the tragedy and that a team was dispatched to Dakhla to assist the survivors. “Our embassy in Rabat is working closely with Moroccan authorities to ensure the well-being of the affected nationals,” the FO stated. The Crisis Management Unit (CMU) was activated to coordinate relief efforts, and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar instructed all relevant agencies to prioritize support for those affected.
The FO also provided contact information for immediate assistance, including the acting ambassador and consular assistant in Rabat. The CMU helpline was made available at +051-9207887 or via email at cmu1@mofa.gov.pk, with WhatsApp contact details for the acting ambassador, Rabia Kasuri, and Consular Assistant Noman Ali.
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari expressed his condolences over the loss of life, stressing the need for urgent and effective strategies to combat human trafficking, calling for comprehensive measures to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also conveyed his sorrow and demanded a detailed report from the authorities. “This horrific act of human trafficking will be met with strict action,” PM Shehbaz declared, adding, “Any form of negligence will not be tolerated, and we are committed to implementing decisive measures to fight human trafficking.”
