ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Friday confirmed the arrest of a human trafficker who was allegedly involved in a boat capsize off Greece that killed more than 250 Pakistanis in 2023.
Hundreds of migrants, including 262 Pakistanis, had drowned when an overcrowded vessel traveling from Libya capsized and sank in international waters off the southwestern Greek coastal town of Pylos in June 2023. It was one of the deadliest boat disasters ever recorded in the Mediterranean Sea.
The incident highlighted the perilous journeys many migrants undertake, often driven by economic hardship, as young individuals seek better financial prospects by attempting dangerous crossings to Europe. More recently, another boat carrying illegal migrants capsized on Dec. 14 near the Greek island of Gavdos, killing at least five Pakistanis.
The issue of illegal immigration to Europe and its consequences gained significant attention in Pakistan after last month’s incident, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordering “intensified efforts” against human traffickers.
“Intelligence-based operation is underway against elements involved in illegally sending citizens to Europe via sea,” FIA spokesperson Abdul Ghafoor said. “An agent involved in [trafficking along] the Afghan land route was arrested based on intelligence reports.”
The suspect, Afsar Khan, who was arrested from the Haripur district in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, belongs to Afghanistan and is the brother of a “notorious” human trafficking agent, Qari Jan Muhammad, according to the FIA spokesperson.
The suspect was responsible for illegally trafficking Pakistanis via sea from Libya to Europe in 2023 and the FIA had found evidence relating to the crime on his phone.
On Dec. 27, Pakistani authorities arrested a woman along with two other human smugglers allegedly involved in last month’s boat tragedy.
“No one is allowed to play with lives of innocent people,” the FIA said, citing its top official in KP.
On Thursday, the FIA also issued red notices through Interpol for 20 foreign-based human traffickers involved in the 2023 Greek boat tragedy.
Pakistan arrests human trafficker for involvement in 2023 Greece boat tragedy
https://arab.news/b2f8a
Pakistan arrests human trafficker for involvement in 2023 Greece boat tragedy
- Over 250 Pakistanis drowned when overcrowded vessel sank off the Greek coastal town of Pylos in June 2023
- The issue of illegal migration to Europe gained significant attention in Pakistan after a similar incident last month
Pakistan stocks plunge in record one-day fall as selling pressure grips market
- KSE-100 sheds 6,683 points, steepest drop in its history
- Foreign selling, thin Ramadan trading volumes deepen rout
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s benchmark stock index posted its sharpest single-day decline on Thursday, as heavy selling by foreign investors and financial institutions triggered a broad market rout amid reduced trading activity during Ramadan.
The KSE-100 index closed at 172,170, down 6,683 points, after falling as much as 7,205 points intraday in a session marked by extreme volatility and persistent selling pressure, according to market data.
The selloff came as investors remained cautious in the face of continued foreign corporate outflows, while local insurance companies also emerged as major sellers, further weakening sentiment and accelerating losses.
“Carnage was witnessed at the local bourse as the KSE-100 Index suffered its steepest single-day fall in history,” brokerage Topline Securities said in a market note, adding that institutional selling intensified the downward momentum.
“Persistent foreign corporate selling continued to dampen sentiment and keep investors on the sidelines.”
Trading hours shortened for Ramadan also contributed to sharp price swings, as thinner volumes amplified market moves and reduced liquidity.
Major index-heavy stocks including Fauji Fertilizer Company, Engro Holdings, United Bank Limited, Oil & Gas Development Company, Pakistan Petroleum Limited and Meezan Bank led the decline, collectively wiping more than 2,100 points off the benchmark.
Overall activity remained subdued, with total trading volumes recorded at 542 million shares and turnover at Rs27.36 billion ($97.6 million ). WorldCall Telecom led the volumes chart with over 84 million shares traded.
Analysts said the combination of institutional selling and limited participation heightened volatility, leaving investors wary in the near term.
