“Better if the facilitator had also gone to discover what drowning means”: LHC rejects bail in Greece boat tragedy

WEB DESK: The Lahore High Court on Tuesday dismissed post-arrest bail petitions of a man accused in the Greece boat tragedy, noting the case had damaged Pakistan’s international reputation. Chief Justice Aalia Neelum remarked, highlighting the court’s frustration over the accused’s alleged facilitation role. “It would have been better if he had gone; at least he would have known what it means to drown,” she said.

The accused faces two cases registered by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). The court questioned payments allegedly collected by the accused, with the defence stating Rs2.5 million per person was gathered to help individuals travel to Italy, while the accused himself had not travelled abroad.

The judge also probed whether the accused acted as a direct agent, but the lawyer maintained he was only representing other agents. Expressing concern over the facilitation of illegal overseas travel, the court denied bail, emphasising accountability in such operations.

Over 200 Pakistanis among victims of Greece migrant boat tragedy

At least 209 Pakistanis were reported among the dead in a major migrant boat disaster off the coast of Greece, according to data from Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). Families of missing passengers reported 181 from Pakistan and 28 from Pakistan-administered Kashmir, suggesting the death toll may be higher than Greek official figures, which list 82 fatalities and 104 survivors, including 12 Pakistanis.

The vessel, a 20- to 30-metre fishing boat, reportedly carried between 400 and 750 passengers and capsized on June 14, about 80km from the southern town of Pylos. Survivors and witnesses described overcrowding and dangerous conditions on the boat. Pakistani authorities have begun DNA sampling from 201 families to help identify victims, while 29 suspected human smugglers have been arrested in Pakistan.

Families told Al Jazeera they paid around Rs2.2 million ($7,700) per person to agents who provided documentation and facilitated travel, often promising financial opportunities in Europe. Many migrants were motivated by poverty, work prospects, or urgent personal circumstances, including medical needs. The disaster is the third major sea incident involving Pakistani migrants since February, underlining ongoing human trafficking risks and the dangers of illegal migration.