The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Saturday that 22 Pakistani nationals, survivors of a recent maritime incident near the Moroccan port of Dakhla, will be repatriated to Pakistan in batches.
The survivors were part of the boat tragedy that claimed the lives of 50 migrants, including 44 Pakistanis. However, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed later on Sunday that 21 Pakistani nationals survived the accident.
In a statement, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan confirmed that after thorough investigations and coordination with Moroccan authorities, the repatriation process was being carried out in phases.
The Pakistani Embassy in Rabat has worked closely with local authorities to monitor relief efforts and finalize the repatriation process.
“The consular team in Dakhla has been essential in planning the return of survivors, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Crisis Management Unit (CMU) has been actively monitoring the situation,” Khan said.
He added that the embassy’s efforts also included maintaining communication with the families of the affected people and verifying their identities in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and other relevant departments.
The tragic incident occurred on January 16 when a ship carrying irregular migrants from Mauritania to Spain sank off the Moroccan coast.
The ship, which set sail from Mauritania on January 2, had 86 migrants on board, 66 of whom were Pakistani citizens.
Moroccan authorities reported that the accident occurred in waters off the coast of Dakhla and they rescued 36 survivors.
In addition to the ongoing repatriation efforts in Morocco, the ministry is also facilitating the return of 11 Pakistani nationals from Mauritania. These individuals have voluntarily chosen to return to Pakistan as part of a separate repatriation process.
The Pakistani government, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has launched a high-level investigation into the tragedy, and a special committee has been formed to oversee the investigation into the boat accident in Morocco.
The well-being of Pakistani nationals abroad remains a priority, and the Ministry of External Affairs is committed to continue providing all necessary support and facilitation to the affected families.
