The Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan (SCBAP) on Wednesday expressed deep concern over the tragic loss of Pakistani lives in the recent Greece boat disaster.
In a press statement, SCBAP President Mian Muhammad Rauf Atta extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the early recovery of those still missing. The Association also raised alarm over the lack of clarity regarding the exact number of those who perished or remain unaccounted for.
“This incident is not the first of its kind. In recent times, a surge in such tragedies has been witnessed,” the statement noted. The SCBAP lamented the failure of law enforcement agencies to effectively crack down on human traffickers and those involved in aiding and abetting human smuggling.
The SCBAP President remarked, “Had stern action already been taken against such elements, many families could have been spared this grief.”
The statement also placed responsibility on the state, emphasising that it is constitutionally bound to provide better livelihoods for its citizens. “It is deeply painful to acknowledge that individuals who lose their lives in such voyages often risk everything in search of a better future for themselves and their families. Had they been provided with sufficient resources and opportunities in their homeland, they might still be alive today.”
The SCBAP urged the authorities to prioritise identifying and bringing human traffickers and other culpable parties to justice, warning that such tragedies must not be allowed to recur. “We call on the relevant authorities to use all available resources to ensure these inhumane incidents are avoided in the future,” the statement concluded.