Eight more survivors of Morocco boat tragedy return to Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: During a countrywide crackdown on human smuggling mafia, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested dozens of activists of gangs associated with international network, a spokesman of the FIA headquarters said Saturday.

Eight additional victims of the Morocco boat disaster have returned to Pakistan, providing crucial information that has led the FIA to identify multiple human smuggling networks operating across the country. The returnees, who arrived on flight QR614, hail from Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, and Jhelum, have been rounded up. According to FIA officials, each victim paid hefty sums to traffickers in the hopes of reaching Europe illegally. The smugglers first routed them through Dubai and Ethiopia before transporting them to Senegal. From there, the victims were forced onto boats in a perilous attempt to reach Spain.

Many of the returnees reported experiencing extreme physical abuse and exploitation at the hands of smugglers. FIA authorities have already begun identifying key culprits behind these illicit operations in Punjab and are intensifying efforts to dismantle these criminal networks.

Meanwhile, a youth from Kuthiala Sheikhan, who survived the recent Morocco boat tragedy, has returned home in Malakwal. Ansari was part of a group of Pakistanis attempting to reach Europe via Morocco by boat. Ansari recounted the horrific experience, stating that African agents had brutally killed 44 passengers on board and thrown their bodies into the sea.

Ansari warned youths and other people against attempting to reach Europe through illegal means, advising them instead to invest their money in local businesses. He also revealed that he had paid an agent Rs1.5 million to facilitate his Europe journey but he did not do so. Ansari urged the government to take decisive action against human smugglers and put an end to this heinous crime. His return home was met with relief and joy by his family.