ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) announced on Wednesday it has sacked 13 members for being involved in the 2024 Greek boat tragedy that resulted in the deaths of five citizens, saying that its crackdown against human traffickers in the country was continuing.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered strict action against human trafficking rings that lure Pakistani migrants with the fake promise of a better life in return for money, and help them undertake perilous illegal journeys via sea to Europe.
Five Pakistanis were killed when a migrant boat sank near the Greek island of Gavdos in December 2024. Another migrant boat sank capsized near the coast of Morocco on Jan. 15 carrying 86 migrants on board. Sixty-six Pakistanis were on the ship, according to migrant rights group Walking Borders.
“An inspector, two sub-inspectors, two head constables and eight constables were dismissed from service for their involvement in the 2024 Greek boat accident,” an FIA spokesperson said in a statement.
The FIA said promotions of three constables had been halted, adding that all dismissed officials were stationed at the airport in Pakistan’s eastern city of Faisalabad.
It said 37 FIA officials had been removed from service earlier for their involvement in various boat accidents.
“Actions continue against officials involved in a boat accident on the prime minister’s instructions,” the agency said.
In 2023, hundreds of migrants, including 262 Pakistanis, drowned when an overcrowded vessel capsized and sank in international waters off the southwestern Greek coastal town of Pylos. It was one of the deadliest boat disasters ever recorded in the Mediterranean Sea.
Pakistan fires 13 federal agency officials for involvement in 2024 Greek boat tragedy
https://arab.news/v667u
Pakistan fires 13 federal agency officials for involvement in 2024 Greek boat tragedy
- Five Pakistanis were killed when migrant boat sank near Greek island Gavdos in December
- Investigation agency says fired 37 members earlier for involvement in migrant boat tragedies
IMF Executive Board to review $1.2 billion loan disbursement for Pakistan today
- Pakistan, IMF reached a Staff-Level Agreement in October for second review of $7 billion Extended Fund, climate fund program
- Economists view IMF bailout packages as essential for cash-strapped Pakistan grappling with a prolonged macroeconomic crisis
ISLAMABAD: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is set to meet in Washington today to review a $1.2 billion loan disbursement for Pakistan, state media reported on Monday.
Pakistan and the IMF reached a Staff-Level Agreement (SLA) in October for the second review of a $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and the first review of its $1.4 billion Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).
The agreement between the two sides took place after an IMF mission, led by the international lender’s representative Iva Petrova, held discussions with Pakistani authorities during a Sept. 24–Oct. 8 visit to Karachi, Islamabad and Washington D.C.
“The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Executive Board is set to meet in Washington today to review and approve $1.2 billion in loan for Pakistan,” state broadcaster Pakistan TV reported.
Pakistan has been grappling with a prolonged macroeconomic crisis that has drained its financial resources and triggered a balance of payments crisis for the past couple of years. Islamabad, however, has reported some financial gains since 2022, which include recording a surplus in its current account and bringing inflation down considerably.
Economists view the IMF’s bailout packages as crucial for cash-strapped Pakistan, which has relied heavily on financing from bilateral partners such as Saudi Arabia, China and the United Arab Emirates, as well as multilateral lenders including the IMF, World Bank, Asian Development Bank and Islamic Development Bank.
Speaking to Arab News last month, Pakistan’s former finance adviser Khaqan Najeeb said the $1.2 billion disbursement will further stabilize Pakistan’s near-term external position and unlock additional official inflows.
“Continued engagement also reinforces macro stability, as reflected in recent improvements in inflation, the current account, and reserve buffers,” Najeeb said.
Pakistan came close to sovereign default in mid-2023, when foreign exchange reserves fell below three weeks of import cover, inflation surged to a record 38% in May, and the country struggled to secure external financing after delays in its IMF program. Fuel shortages, import restrictions, and a rapidly depreciating rupee added to the pressure, while ratings agencies downgraded Pakistan’s debt and warned of heightened default risk.
The crisis eased only after Pakistan reached a last-minute Stand-By Arrangement with the IMF in June 2023, unlocking emergency support and preventing an immediate default.
