Karachi - Over 300 Pakistani individuals have tragically died in a tragic incident involving an overcrowded fishing trawler that sank near the coast of Greece.

This event has once again highlighted the refugee crisis faced by the European Union as thousands of people seek refuge from war, persecution, and poverty.

The Chairman of Pakistan's Senate, Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani, expressed his condolences and confirmed the death toll in an official statement.

However, Greek authorities have not yet verified the number of casualties reported by Pakistan.This devastating incident serves as a reminder of the urgent need to address and condemn the illegal act of human trafficking.

Pakistan is currently undergoing its worst economic crisis in decades, which is further complicated by political instability within the country. Economic growth has stalled, and inflation has soared, leading to difficulties in importing essential food items and even resulting in deadly stampedes at distribution centers.

The growing number of Pakistanis undertaking perilous journeys to Europe in search of a better future has had a significant impact on the nation.

In response to the sinking of the boat, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has declared a national day of mourning on Monday to honor those who lost their lives.

In a tweet on Sunday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a "high-level inquiry" into the tragic incident. He assured the nation that those who were found negligent in their duties would be held accountable. Sharif emphasized that responsibility would be determined following the inquiry and that there would be consequences for those responsible.

According to the United Nations Migration Agency (IOM) and the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson, the recent boat capsizing tragedy in the Mediterranean Sea resulted in the deaths of hundreds of men, women, and children.

Approximately 750 individuals were on board the overcrowded boat, making it one of the worst incidents in the region.

These migrants undertake perilous journeys to Europe each year, driven by factors such as war, persecution, climate change, and poverty.

Johansson strongly condemned the actions of smugglers who put people's lives at risk by organizing these dangerous boat trips. She emphasized that these smugglers are not sending people to Europe; rather, they are sending them to their deaths.

Preventing such tragedies is of utmost importance, according to Johansson.

The handling of the disaster by Greek authorities has faced criticism, raising uncomfortable questions about European countries' attitudes towards migrants. Despite the inherent dangers involved, tens of thousands of people remain willing to take the risk and embark on unsafe journeys to Europe in search of a better life.

However, many European countries have adopted stricter border controls and adopted tougher stances towards migrants, creating a challenging situation where migrants face significant risks while seeking asylum or a better future in Europe.

Greek authorities have denied allegations that a boat capsized after their attempts to tow it to shore.

Initially, they claimed that assistance was offered but declined by the boat's occupants. However, a relative of three individuals on board stated that Greek authorities were towing the boat with ropes tied in the wrong places, causing it to capsize.

The government spokesperson clarified that the coast guard arrived after the boat's engine broke down and stated there was no connection between the engine failure and the capsizing. The conflicting accounts highlight the need for a thorough investigation into the incident and the actions of Greek authorities.

 According to the government spokesperson, there was no link between the coast guard's approach and the sinking as the boat's engine had already failed prior to their arrival.

The Hellenic coast guard defended their actions by stating that they were not in close proximity to the boat when it capsized, refuting claims of towing.

Their patrol boat had merely used a small rope for stabilization while near the migrant boat. The coast guard attributed the capsizing to a potential panic-induced shift in weight.

They emphasized that their rescue operation promptly commenced upon reaching the scene to save those in the water.