Bajaur’s Sirajuddin Dreamed of Supporting His Family, Met Tragic End in Libya

Iqbal Muhammad revealed that the family had not been in contact with Siraj for the past 15 days. They were devastated to learn that he had perished in the Libya boat tragedy six days ago.

Among the 63 Pakistanis confirmed to have been aboard the ill-fated boat that sank off the coast of Libya, one was Sirajuddin, son of Iqbal Muhammad, from Siddiqabad Phatak, Bajaur.

Sirajuddin’s father, Iqbal Muhammad, shared that his son had been working in Saudi Arabia for the past three years. Despite holding a master's degree in Political Science and another in Computer Science from Malakand University, Sirajuddin struggled to find employment in Pakistan. Frustrated by limited job opportunities, he moved to Saudi Arabia in 2022 in search of a better future.

Iqbal Muhammad revealed that the family had not been in contact with Siraj for the past 15 days. They were devastated to learn that he had perished in the Libya boat tragedy six days ago. "We appeal to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and FIA officials to verify this news and facilitate the repatriation of his body," he urged.

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Sirajuddin was the eldest of four sons and three daughters. His father, a daily wage laborer struggling to make ends meet, shared his late son’s dream: "Siraj always wanted to take me, my mother, and his mother for Hajj and Umrah."

Grief and Calls for Repatriation

A wave of mourning has engulfed Siraj’s home, where relatives, neighbors, and community members continue to arrive for Fateha (prayers for the deceased). Every eye in the household is filled with tears.

Bajaur’s Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Mubarak Zeb Khan expressed his deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives in Libya. He promptly wrote to the Foreign Office, urging immediate action to bring back the deceased Pakistanis.

The MNA also met Disaster Management Director-General Shehzad Khurram at the Foreign Office, who arranged for him to speak directly with Pakistan’s ambassador in Libya. The ambassador briefed him on the repatriation process, confirming that 16 Pakistanis from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were on board the boat—including one each from Bajaur, Peshawar, and Orakzai, while 13 were from Kurram.

MNA Mubarak Zeb Khan offered prayers for the departed souls, assuring the affected families: "In this moment of grief, we stand by the bereaved families. We will do everything in our power to ensure the swift return of the bodies to Pakistan."

A History of Tragic Journeys

This is not the first such tragedy in Bajaur. Over the years, many young men from the region have lost their lives attempting to reach Europe illegally. Some perished while crossing Iran, others died in road accidents, and several remain missing to this day.

Zia-ur-Rehman, a Bajaur native who successfully reached Europe years ago, advised young Pakistanis to seek legal avenues for migration:

"Taking illegal routes is extremely dangerous. Everyone knows the perils of the journey, but only God can save those who take the risk. Even if you reach Europe, you cannot work without a visa. You must apply for asylum, which depends on luck—it can take years, or you might never get it, depending on your case and evidence."

"Even if you are granted a visa, language barriers become the next challenge. Without language skills or a marketable skill, you won’t earn well. That’s why I urge people to pursue legal migration, rather than risk their lives and families' hopes on uncertain, illegal routes. It's better to stay unemployed at home than to spend millions on an illegal journey only to face joblessness in Europe. Your life is valuable—don’t waste it.