GUJRAT: Five additional survivors of the Morocco boat tragedy returned to Gujrat on Friday, while the arrival of 10 bodies of deceased Pakistani immigrants was further delayed, according to official sources.
The five survivors, hailing from Gujrat, Mandi Bahauddin, and Hafizabad districts in Punjab, arrived at Islamabad airport, a day after two flights brought back seven survivors. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ repatriation operation is expected to conclude on Saturday with the arrival of the final group of eight survivors.
However, the bodies of 10 deceased Pakistani immigrants have not yet been repatriated. Sources stated that Moroccan authorities had not confirmed the identity of several victims by Friday, which contributed to the delay.
Once the survivors arrived, they were handed over to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) offices in Gujranwala and Gujrat for questioning. After the necessary procedures, they were allowed to return to their homes.
Meanwhile, the FIA Gujranwala circle arrested a human trafficker, Waris Ali, from Gondalanwala Street, in connection with a complaint filed against him. The complainant accused Ali of extorting Rs2.5 million with the promise of sending him to Italy, but failing to fulfill the promise. Investigations are ongoing.
In related developments, 15 immigration officials were trained on basic travel document security at Sialkot International Airport. Trainers from the International Center for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) conducted two days of sessions aimed at tackling illegal human trafficking and the use of fake documents.
Additionally, a joint team from ICMPD, Sialkot International Airport Limited (SIAL), and an architectural firm conducted a survey at the airport to plan space allocation for a new office in the departure lounge. This office will be responsible for further scrutinizing suspicious passengers, even after they have cleared the main immigration counters.
