Pakistan confirms 16 dead, 10 missing in Libya migrant boat disaster

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) confirmed on Tuesday that at least 16 Pakistani nationals died after a migrant boat sank near Libya’s coast, while 10 remain missing.

According to a Foreign Office (FO) statement, a team from the Pakistan Embassy in Tripoli visited Zawiya city, gathering information from local authorities and hospital officials.

Reports indicate that 63 Pakistanis were on board, with 16 confirmed dead, 37 survivors—one in hospital and 33 in police custody—while 10 remain unaccounted for.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed concern over the tragedy, directing officials to investigate and take strict action against human traffickers.

The incident follows a series of similar migrant boat disasters, including one in January where over 40 Pakistanis drowned near Mauritania and another in December off the Greek coast, which claimed more than 80 lives.

Authorities have intensified their crackdown on illegal migration, dismissing 35 FIA officials and replacing the agency’s director general.

Additionally, Lahore’s Jamia Naeemia has issued a religious edict declaring illegal migration as both unlawful and against Shariah. The government continues efforts to curb human trafficking and prevent such tragedies.