Five young men from Hafizabad tragically drowned when a migrant boat capsized off Libya’s coast. The victims – Mazhar Hussain, Atif, Haroon, Hamza, and Jafar – had left Pakistan four months prior in search of better job opportunities abroad. They sold savings and livestock to fund their journey.
Family members stated each individual paid between Rs4.5 million and Rs5 million to agents for travel via Saudi Arabia and Libya, with Italy as the intended destination. The boat overturned in rough waters near Libya, leading to fatalities. However, one companion, Imran Sher, survived by boarding a separate vessel and reached Italy safely.
The deceased hailed from various Hafizabad villages including Bagh Kehna, Kot Nizam, Tahli Goraya, Behak Muqeemuddin, and Chohdu Khunian. The news of the tragedy has left families and communities in deep grief across affected villages.