ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Office on Monday confirmed one more survivor of a migrant boat capsize off the coast of Morocco last week, bringing the total number of survivors to 22.
The migrant boat capsized near Morocco’s coast on Jan. 15 while en route to Spain. It was carrying 86 migrants, including 66 Pakistanis, according to migrant rights group Walking Borders.
Moroccan authorities said a day later that 36 people were rescued from the vessel which left Mauritania on Jan. 2, while Foreign Office confirmed on Sunday the survivors included 21 Pakistani nationals.
“Based on verified information, one more Pakistani national named Muhammad Adeel s/o Muhammad Rasheed has been identified among the survivors of the boat tragedy,” the Pakistani foreign office said on Sunday.
The incident near Morocco has once again underscored the dangerous journeys many migrants, particularly Pakistanis, embark on due to conflict and economic instability in their home country.
In 2023, hundreds of migrants, including 262 Pakistanis, drowned when an overcrowded vessel sank in international waters off the southwestern Greek town of Pylos, marking one of the deadliest boat disasters ever recorded in the Mediterranean Sea. More recently, five Pakistani nationals died in a ship wreck off the southern Greek island of Gavdos on Dec. 14.
The Pakistani government has ramped up efforts in recent months to combat human smugglers facilitating dangerous journeys for illegal immigrants to Europe, resulting in several arrests.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged increased collaboration with international agencies to ensure swift action against human trafficking networks.
Foreign Office confirms one more Pakistani survivor of Morocco boat capsize
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Foreign Office confirms one more Pakistani survivor of Morocco boat capsize
- The boat sank off Morocco’s coast last week with 86 people on board
- The confirmation brings the total number of Pakistani survivors to 22
Pakistan launches double-decker buses in Karachi after 65 years to tackle transport woes
- Karachi citizens will be able to travel in double-decker buses from Jan. 1, says Sindh government
- City faces mounting transport challenges such as lack of buses, traffic congestion, poorly built roads
ISLAMABAD: The government in Sindh province on Wednesday launched double-decker buses in the provincial capital of Karachi after a gap of 65 years, vowing to improve public transport facilities in the metropolis.
Double-decker buses are designed to carry more passengers than single-deck vehicles without taking up extra road space. The development takes place amid increasing criticism against the Sindh government regarding Karachi’s mounting public transport challenges and poor infrastructural problems.
Pakistan’s largest city by population faces severe transportation challenges due to overcrowding in buses, traffic congestion and limited bus options. Commuters, as a result, rely on private vehicles or unregulated transport options that are often unsafe and expensive.
“Double-decker buses have once again been introduced for the people of Karachi after 65 years,” a statement issued by the Sindh information ministry said.
Sindh Transportation Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon and Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah inaugurated the bus service. The ministry said the facility will be available to the public starting Jan. 1.
The statement highlighted that new electric bus routes will also be launched across the entire province starting next week. It added that the aim of introducing air-conditioned buses, low-fare services, and fare subsidies is to make public transport more accessible to the people.
The ministry noted that approximately 1.5 million people travel daily in Karachi using the People’s Bus Service, while around 75,000 passengers use the Orange Line and Green Line BRT services.
“With the integration of these routes, efforts are being made to benefit up to 100,000 additional people,” the ministry said.
