FIA dismisses 13 officials involved in Greece shipwreck

At least 13 officials from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) have been dismissed from their jobs due to their involvement in a ship capsize incident the Greek island of Gavdos

Following Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's directives, the agency launched an intra-departmental investigation to identify those responsible for the shipwreck.

 As a result, several individuals were investigated, and 13 were dismissed due to their proven involvement.

The incident occurred on December 13, when a  a wooden ship carrying over 60 Pakistanis attempting to illegally reach Europe sank off the coast of Crete, Greece.

Read more: Four more bodies found, death toll in Greece shipwreck rises to 9: FIA

FIA Director General Ahmed Ishaq Jahangir confirmed that action had been taken against personnel implicated in the tragedy. The dismissed officials were stationed at Faisalabad Airport at the time of the incident.

The dismissed personnel include one inspector, two sub-inspectors, two head constables, and eight constables, while the promotions of three other constables have been suspended.

Previously, at least 37 agency officials were dismissed for similar offenses. This latest action reaffirms the agency's commitment to transparency and accountability.

Read more: Probe exposes FIA officials' alleged role in Greece boat disaster

The incident occurred on December 13, leaving several people missing. Only nine bodies were recovered during the two-week search operation.  The incident prompted Pakistani authorities to initiate a crackdown on agents who facilitate illegal travel to Europe.

At least nine migrants drowned when their wooden boat capsized off the coast of Gavdos, a southern Greek island. Witnesses believe several others are still missing as the search and rescue operation continues.