PM Shehbaz directs FO to ascertain facts about migrant Pakistanis drowned in Italy

PM Shehbaz Sharif has directed the FO to ascertain facts about migrant Pakistanis drowned in Italy!

A day earlier, at least 59 migrants, including 28 Pakistanis, died after their overloaded boat sank early on Sunday in stormy seas off Italy’s southern Calabria region.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday took notice of the drowning of Pakistanis in a boat tragedy in Italy.

“The reports of the drowning of over two dozen Pakistanis in a boat tragedy in Italy are deeply concerning & worrisome. I have directed Foreign Office to ascertain facts as early as possible & take the nation into confidence,” the PM stated in a tweet.

 

As reported, a vessel carrying migrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and several other countries, had set sail from Turkiye several days ago and crashed in stormy weather near Steccato di Cutro, a seaside resort on the eastern coast of Calabria in Italy.

 

Pakistan Foreign office in a statement on Sunday notified that “We are closely following the reports about the possible presence of Pakistanis in the vessel that has capsized off the coast of Italy. The Embassy of Pakistan in Rome is in the process of ascertaining facts from the Italian authorities.”

The boat was carrying about 120 people and hit rocks a few meters from the shore near Steccato di Cutro, a seaside resort on the eastern coast of Calabria on early Sunday Morning.

 

A least 58 migrants were killed and more than 81 were rescued after the shipwreck, of a human smuggling boat.

Following the incident, Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in a tweet said, Deeply saddened by the news reports of a shipwreck in Italy, which has resulted in the loss of many human lives including Pakistanis. My sympathies & condolence to the families of the deceased. Pakistan Embassy in Rome on the ground is ascertaining facts from the Italian authorities.”