Officials released a statement on Saturday confirming plans to repatriate 22 Pakistani nationals who survived the capsizing of a migrant boat near Morocco. The Foreign Office initially stated on 16th January that a vessel carrying 80 individuals overturned near the Moroccan coastline. More than half of the victims claimed were believed to be Pakistanis.
The rights group Walking Borders set the possible number of deceased migrants, trying to navigate from West Africa to the Canary Islands, Spain, up to 50. It is one more tragic event in a series of dangerous attempts made by people trying desperately to cross to Europe.
In immediate response to the disaster, a top-level government committee was sent to Morocco. The Prime Minister himself ordered this action so as to hastily manage and assess the scenario on the ground. The committee’s agenda was to deeply understand the situation by meeting the survivors and stakeholders involved.
The chosen representatives were quick to conduct extensive interviews with the survivors currently located in the Moroccan township of Dakhla. Simultaneously, they held crucial meetings with the Pakistani embassy officials in Rabat, garnering a comprehensive view of the current circumstances.
The governmental statement released today confirmed that steps are under way to arrange the repatriation of all 22 survivors presently in Dakhla. After meticulous investigations and efficient coordination with local Moroccan authorities, it was decided that groups of survivors will be sent back gradually to Pakistan.
The Foreign Office further informed that the embassy based in Rabat has been actively collaborating with Moroccan authorities in executing this plan. The consul team located at Dakhla also played an instrumental role in devising the repatriation strategy for the survivors.
Special focus is being put on the role of the Foreign Ministry’s Crisis Management Unit (CMU). It has been very active on the ground, keeping a close tab on the situation, providing all necessary support to those affected, and actively communicating with their families back home.
The process of verifying national identities of the survivors was deemed a critical task. Coordination was made with the Interior Ministry as well as other relevant departments to expedite the process and ensure the smooth transition of identified individuals to their homeland.
A statement revealed that the Foreign Office is undertaking a separate process to facilitate the repatriation of an additional 11 Pakistani nationals originating from Mauritania. The statement underscored that these individuals have decided to return back voluntarily to their homeland.
The ongoing coordination between the Foreign Office, Pakistani Embassy in Rabat, and Moroccan authorities plays an indispensable role in resolving this crisis. Each entity has a specific function, and working in harmony is crucial to reaching the desired outcome of safe repatriation.
Both the proactive crisis management from relevant Pakistani authorities and the invaluable support from the Moroccan counterparts are commendable. Their efficiency ensures the swift repatriation of survivors in the shortest possible time, smoothing their transition back home.
Despite the tragedy of the incident, the prompt response from the Crisis Management Unit and embassy staff in Rabat is a testament to the strong systems in place. Their hands-on approach and their dedication to supporting those affected highlight their readiness to cope with such situations.
The commitment to verify each survivor’s national identity is important in situations like these. It’s a measure taken to protect against identity fraud, ensuring that only rightful claimants return back to Pakistan. The swift completion of this process shows a mature administrative functionality.
Moreover, the voluntary repatriation of 11 Pakistanis from Mauritania cannot be overlooked in this scenario. The separate process to facilitate their return indicates that every individual affected by situations of such scale receives the attention and support needed.
The combined efforts of all parties involved paints a picture of solidarity, compassion, and swift action in response to a disaster. It underscores the fervent efforts of the Pakistani and Moroccan authorities to provide relief and end the suffering of the survivors.