Pakistani authorities are working diligently to collect DNA samples from various regions of the country in an effort to identify the victims of a migrant boat that sank off the Greek coast last week. Among the passengers on board the ill-fated boat were many Syrians, Egyptians, and Pakistanis, with an estimated 130 individuals from Pakistan alone. The town of Khuiratta, located in the hilly region of Pakistan, has been particularly affected, with at least 28 residents on board the boat.
In Khuiratta, every family has submitted at least two DNA samples from their members, including fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters. These samples are being sent to Greece to aid in the identification process. However, due to the sensitive nature of the situation, some women in Khuiratta are unaware that their sons are missing, and authorities have decided not to notify them at this time.
Heartbreaking stories have emerged from the tragedy, such as that of Mohammad Yasin, a 28-year-old who borrowed over 2 million Pakistani rupees (approximately 7,000 euros) in the hopes of finding a better life in Europe. DNA tests have been conducted on Yasin’s children to confirm his status as one of the victims. Yasin’s brother, Mohammed Ayub, expressed his uncertainty about his brother’s fate, stating, “We have no idea where he is, whether he is alive or dead.”
Another resident of Khuiratta, shopkeeper Sajid Yousaf, had hoped to join his brother in Italy, who had successfully made the journey twelve years ago. Yousaf promised to bring home a bicycle for his 4-year-old son in a viral video before embarking on the perilous boat journey.
Many families in Khuiratta have taken out significant loans to cover the costs of these journeys, as approximately 500 people from the town have managed to reach Europe in recent years. Unfortunately, not all have been successful, and Touqeer Pervez, a cousin of Sajid Yousaf, is among the missing. Pervez’s father had borrowed money from friends and relatives to finance the journey.
The reasons behind the mass exodus from Khuiratta can be attributed to the town’s proximity to the Line of Control (LoC), the border that separates Indian-Kashmir from Pakistani-Kashmir. The ongoing dispute over Kashmir has resulted in regular cross-border tensions and conflicts, leaving residents with limited opportunities for employment and a better life.
The tragic events have raised questions about the actions of leaders and the lack of concern for ordinary people’s lives. The widowed mother of Rubina Kusar, one of the victims, expressed her anguish, stating, “My son suffered terribly before his death. First in the hands of smugglers and then at sea. Why didn’t our leaders act sooner? Don’t they care about ordinary people, about their lives?”
As the DNA testing continues and the search for answers intensifies, the people of
How are the Pakistani authorities collecting DNA samples from all regions of the country in order to identify the victims of the migrant boat incident?
Ose wife and two children were on the ill-fated boat. Yasin, who was unable to go with them, anxiously awaits news of their fate. He has already provided his DNA sample in hopes that it will assist in identifying his loved ones.
The Pakistani authorities are putting in every effort to collect DNA samples from all regions of the country. Their main objective is to identify the victims of the tragic migrant boat incident that occurred off the Greek coast last week. Along with Syrians, Egyptians, and other nationalities, an estimated 130 Pakistanis were on board, including at least 28 residents from the town of Khuiratta in the hilly region of Pakistan.
The town of Khuiratta has been hit particularly hard by this devastating event. In an act of solidarity and determination, every family in Khuiratta has submitted at least two DNA samples from their members, including fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters. These samples are now being sent to Greece, where the identification process is taking place.
However, given the sensitive nature of the situation, authorities have decided not to notify certain women in Khuiratta who are unaware that their sons are missing. This decision aims to protect their emotional well-being during this difficult time. It remains a heart-wrenching situation for many families in Khuiratta, with countless stories of loved ones anxiously awaiting news about their missing relatives.
One such heartbreakingly relatable story is that of Mohammad Yasin, a 28-year-old whose wife and two children were among the passengers on the ill-fated boat. Sadly, Yasin could not accompany his family on their journey, and now he grapples with the agonizing uncertainty of their fate. With hope in his heart, he has provided his DNA sample, desperately yearning for any news that will bring him solace or closure.
The collective efforts of the Pakistani authorities and the courageous resilience of the affected families in Khuiratta are testament to the strength and determination of the human spirit. While the road to identifying all the victims may be long and painful, the commitment shown by the people of Pakistan emphasizes the importance of providing closure and justice to those who have lost their lives in this tragedy.
