ISLAMABAD — Authorities are concerned that over 40 Pakistani nationals may have drowned following the sinking of a migrant boat off the Atlantic coast of West Africa. This area has become a key departure point for individuals attempting to reach Europe, leading to a tragic incident for many families.
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed his sorrow regarding the loss of life and emphasized the urgent need for effective measures to combat human trafficking practices. His remarks followed a statement from the Spain-based migrant rights organization, Walking Borders, which reported that approximately 50 individuals lost their lives on a voyage towards the Canary Islands, of which 44 were identified as Pakistanis. The perilous journey reportedly began on January 2.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also voiced his condolences over the incident, reflecting the national mourning. According to reports, the Pakistani embassy in Morocco confirmed that a boat, carrying 80 passengers including several Pakistanis, launched from Mauritania and capsized near the Moroccan port of Dakhla, situated in the contested region of Western Sahara.
Most of the Pakistani individuals onboard hailed from urban areas within the eastern Punjab province, and relatives of the victims gathered at their homes as some survivors managed to reach out to their families. In Dhola, a village located in Gujrat district, Ahsan Shehzad mourned the loss of his son, Sufyan Ali, who was aboard the ill-fated vessel. Shehzad recounted a voice message from his son expressing concern about the overcrowded conditions of the boat and the forced boarding of an additional 25 passengers.
Shehzad called upon the government to assist in the repatriation of his son’s body alongside that of his nephew, who also perished. In Jurah, another village within Gujrat, Muhammad Akram relayed his heartbreak over the loss of his son, Abu Bakar. Akram shared that he had paid a substantial sum to a trafficker to facilitate his son’s journey abroad, not knowing that Bakar would be placed on a perilous boat for the next leg of his journey.
In the city of Daska, family members of two men revealed they sold assets to pay human traffickers millions of rupees to facilitate Arslan Ahmed and Mohammad Arfan’s migration to Europe in search of employment. Ahmed’s mother mentioned that while she heard from survivors that her son might still be alive, she had been unable to reach him. Razia Bibi, the mother of Arfan, pleaded with authorities to locate her son and ensure his safe return.
Each year, millions attempt to migrate to Europe, predominantly through legal channels. Last year, fewer than 240,000 traveled to Europe without proper documentation, according to Frontex, the European Union’s border agency. With authorities intensifying efforts to curb illegal migration and human smuggling along the Mediterranean, more perilous routes have become prevalent. Frontex reported that over 50,000 migrants undertook the hazardous journey from northwest Africa to the Canary Islands in 2024, including 178 individuals from Pakistan.
A report by Walking Borders indicated that over 9,700 migrants have either died or gone missing attempting to reach the Canary Islands, labeling this route as “the deadliest in the world.” The islands lie around 65 miles (105 kilometers) from Africa’s nearest point, yet many migrants endure extensive journeys that might last days or weeks to circumvent border controls. Last year, a significant number departed from Mauritania, which is a substantial distance of at least 473 miles (762 kilometers) from the nearest Canary Island, El Hierro.
The Foreign Ministry of Pakistan confirmed that several survivors are currently residing in a camp near Dakhla. The Pakistani Embassy in Morocco is actively collaborating with local officials to support the survivors, according to a statement from the ministry. However, the ministry has not disclosed the exact number of Pakistani deaths, and officials were not available for additional comments on the following Friday.
Tragically, hundreds of Pakistanis lose their lives each year while seeking to reach Europe, relying on human smugglers. In 2023, around 350 Pakistanis were on board an overcrowded fishing vessel that sunk off Greece, marking one of the Mediterranean region’s most catastrophic incidents. Pakistan has announced a crackdown on human trafficking practices to address the growing concerns surrounding this crisis.
