Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced observance of day of mourning on June 19 in honour of Pakistani nationals who lost their lives after ship carrying migrants sank off coast of Greece on June 14. PM Office Media Wing in press statement issued stated that national flag would fly at half-mast on day and special prayers would be offered for deceased.

Additionally, Prime Minister’s Office issued another notification stating that high-level four-member committee would be formed to conduct an inquiry into tragic incident.

“On unfortunate incident of June 14, 2023, where boat carrying migrants capsized off coast of Greece, resulting in deaths of Pakistani/AJK nationals and other individuals, Prime Minister, while expressing his grief and taking it seriously decided to establish an Inquiry Committee,” notification read. Meanwhile, government of Azad Kashmir announced three-day mourning to mourn drowning of more than 50 Kashmiri youth who were boarding packed migrant boat which capsized off coast of Greece. Three-day mourning period is starting from today across Azad Kashmir during which flag will remain hoisted half-mast.  AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq directed Chief Secretary to make contact with Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to bring back bodies. A list of 27 missing persons of Kotli district was also released after boat accident.

 Moreover police launched grand operation against gangs involved in human trafficking and arrested 9 agents who have illegally sent several Pakistanis to Europe.  Among missing persons feared to be drowned in boat accident, 6 youths from Pandori Kalan area of Wazirabad are also included. Youths went missing while going to Italy from Libya. Besides them, 10 people belonging to Sarai Alamgir are also missing. They were trying to go to Italy. Their loved ones back home are unable to make contact with them and they are overwhelmed with grief.

Published in The Daily National Courier, June, 19 2023

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