Shipwrecks
Folks in search of greener pastures often end up with tragedies. Of late, two incidents of boat capsize with many desperate Pakistanis on board are under the scanner, and efforts are being made to identify the victims. The overloaded boats that drowned off the coast of Libya in the Mediterranean Sea is a testimony of the sorry state of economic and political affairs in the country, and must be read and debated in a wider context. Efforts on the part of authorities to unearth the nexus that lure people into such an overseas adventurous trap are appreciated. The reported arrest of an accused, the other day from airport, as he tried to flee is just the tip of the iceberg of an organised network that works with alleged connivance of men at the helm of affairs.
Pouring in reports say that luckily there are 12 Pakistani survivors. Not much is known about the exact number of our nationals on the ill-fated boat with more than 750 people on its deck. This has led to a random search on the mill for people who had ventured out of the country in their endeavour, especially, to Europe, during the last few weeks and months. It is also recent history that Pakistan’s national hockey and football player Shahida Raza too lost her life as her boat crashed into rocks while trying to land in Crotone, a port city in Italy, At least 67 people were onboard and perished. This brings to the fore a pertinent point: if a person of fame such as Shahida can opt out in search of better opportunities, what estimate could be made of desperation of Pakistanis who are unemployed and lingering without any hope in these hard pressed days.
These shipwreck incidents must be dealt on three fronts: One, a complete mopping of forged employment bureaus who induce people for travelling abroad on short-cuts and without valid documents, especially on sea-borne voyages. Two, finding the black sheep in immigration, maritime and airports who look the other way for a pie and clear shady people travelling on prosperous routes. And three, fix the economic indicators by ushering in hope for millions of unemployed youths.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 19th, 2023.
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