WEB DESK: A migrant boat sank near Turkey, resulting in the loss of nine lives at least as migrants illegally attempt to reach Europe for better economic prospects.
Coast Guard officials managed to rescue 25 people from the sinking vessel.
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There has been an uptick of illegal migration from the Global South, including Pakistan, to Europe and the United States, with people hoping for a better life.
Illegal migration from Pakistan surged due to worsening economic conditions following the Covid-19 pandemic. Many people, mainly men, risk their lives to escape dire circumstance.
A huge number attempt to reach the United and Europe, with many attempting an illegal, dangerous route from Iran to Greece via land, or via boats from Libya.
In 2023, authorities in Libya freed at least 385 Pakistani migrants who had been held captive in trafficking warehouses during an overnight raid.
The migrants had arrived in Libya with the intention of travelling to Europe but were detained by smugglers who demanded random for their release.
Libya has become a primary transit point for migrants from Africa and the Middle East. However, the number of illegal migrants from Afghanistan and Pakistan has risen steadily since 2020.
Following the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that led to the ouster of Muammar Qaddafi, Libya devolved into a civil war that has seen the country divided into several factions. This emboldened smugglers in the region, leading to Libya becoming another primary transit point to Europe.
In June, a vessel departing from Libya carried an estimated 700 migrants, including around 350 from Pakistan. It sank off the coast of Greece, with only 104 people rescued, including 12 Pakistanis.
The situation worsened in December, when a series of boat capsizes off the Greek coast resulted in the deaths of 40 Pakistani migrants.
Reports indicate that approximately 5,000 Pakistanis remain stranded in Libya, attempting to reach Europe. Many are in contact with agents from both Pakistan and Libya, having processed their visas for Libya prior to their departure.
Following several such incidents, pressure mounted on the government to take action against smugglers. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in Gujranwala arrested and then initiated legal action against four people under the Human Trafficking Act in January.
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The alleged traffickers, who are reportedly part of a family-run operation, have been accused of exploiting economic hardships faced by cash-strapped Pakistanis.