Athens, June 19: Pakistan is observing a day of mourning as more than 300 Pakistani nationals, mostly young men, have been killed in the sinking of a boat off the coast of Greece on Sunday.
The chairman of of Pakistan’s Senate, Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani, disclosed the numbers in a statement Sunday, sending condolences to grieving families of the dead.
Pakistan is in the midst of its worst economic crisis in decades, with efforts to secure a financial lifeline from the International Monetary Fund complicated by political turmoil in the country.
Growth has stalled and inflation has soared in the South Asian country of 220 million over the past year. The country has struggled to import essential food products, leading to deadly stampedes at distribution centers.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with you, and we pray that the departed souls find eternal peace,” Sanjrani said. “This devastating incident underscores the urgent need to address and condemn the abhorrent act of illegal human trafficking.”
The number of Pakistanis traversing dangerous routes to Europe in search of a better future has reverberated through the nation, prompting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to declare Monday a national day of mourning for those who died in the boat’s sinking.
Meanwhile, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) of Pakistan said that it had apprehended a “key suspect” from Gujrat involved in the trafficking of the men to Europe who died in the incident.
At least 400 Pakistanis, 200 Egyptians and 150 Syrians, including around two dozen Syrian women and young children, were travelling on the boat, according to the initial information shared by survivors of the shipwreck.
The increasing economic crisis in Pakistan, with fewer livelihood opportunities and high cost of living, is said to be the main driver of young men trying to leave the country in search of better economic opportunities.
