Pakistani nationals on the ill-fated migrant boat that sank off near Greece were condemned to the most dangerous part of the trawler, where they had slim chances of surviving a capsize. These disturbing details around the conditions of Pakistani migrants were revealed by survivors of the disaster.
Guardian reported that new accounts from survivors revealed that women and children were forced to trawler in the hold, and that certain nationalities were singled out. While other nationalities were allowed on the top deck where they had chances of survival, Pakistanis were forced below deck. When they tried to escape, crew members would mistreat them.
According to Pakistani media, at least 298 Pakistani citizens lost their lives in the tragedy, with the country’s Foreign Ministry stating that only 12 of the survivors are from Pakistan. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a day of mourning on Sunday to mourn the loss of Pakistani citizens, while authorities are said to have launched an investigation into the human traffickers that facilitated the deceased migrants’ exit from Pakistan.
Meanwhile, social media users have called for introspection over why Pakistani citizens are forced to adopt illegal and unsafe ways to leave the country in search of better lives.
Interesting to see many Pakistanis only shaming Europeans for the boat capsizing off the Greek coast which has killed hundreds of Pakistanis. Should not we be also questioning human traffickers in Pakistan and explore why people are so desperate to leave the country?
— Taha Siddiqui (@TahaSSiddiqui) June 18, 2023
