Pakistan has climbed to the fifth position on a list of countries with the highest number of illegal immigrants to Europe, according to a report published by the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) .
Widespread Desire to Migrate Amid Economic Struggles
The report revealed disturbing data, highlighting that nearly 40% of Pakistanis are considering leaving the country, largely due to economic hardships, political instability, lack of educational opportunities, unemployment, inflation, and terrorism.
The report was prepared by Zunaira Inam, in collaboration with the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Denmark and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). It was launched during a ceremony in Karachi.
Rising Illegal Emigration Despite Life-Threatening Risks
The report noted a sharp increase in illegal migration over the past two years, a trend that persists despite the dangerous and life-threatening nature of the journey. Rabiya Javeri Agha, Chairperson of NCHR, stressed that illegal migration continues to grow despite the serious risks involved.
Legislative Measures to Address the Crisis
During the report’s launch, Rabiya Javeri Agha acknowledged that there had been some improvements, thanks to strong legislation and other measures taken after the tragic boat disaster off the coast of Greece in which over 300 Pakistanis lost their lives.
Senator Qaratul Ain Marri from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) called the report a “call for action,” noting that it highlighted the socio-economic and political factors driving emigration. She emphasized that these internal issues require a coordinated strategy to address and promised that the Senate Human Rights Committee would actively engage in resolving them.
Surge in Illegal Migration: 2023 Figures
The report highlighted that in 2022, Pakistan was not among the top 10 countries for illegal migration to Europe. However, by mid-2023, it had risen to fifth place. By December 2023, 8,778 Pakistanis had entered Europe illegally.
According to the findings, most illegal migrants from Pakistan traveled to Europe via Dubai, Egypt, and Libya. In the first half of 2023, approximately 13,000 Pakistanis reached Europe through these routes, and around 10,000 of them did not return.
Urban vs. Rural Migration Trends
The report also revealed that urban areas had a higher desire to migrate than rural ones. It stated that 40% of urban residents and 36% of rural residents were inclined to leave Pakistan.
The highest levels of migration interest were found in Balochistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B), with 42% of the population expressing a desire to emigrate. Other regions with significant migration interest included Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (38%), Sindh (37.6%), and Islamabad (36.5%).
Dramatic Increase in Illegal Emigration
The data showed a 280% increase in illegal emigration from Pakistan to Europe in the first 10 months of 2022. There was also a significant rise in illegal immigration from other countries: 208% from Turkey, 179% from Egypt, 165% from Afghanistan, 122% from Syria, and 92% from Bangladesh.
In terms of nationalities among illegal immigrants to Europe, Syria topped the list with 42.7%, followed by Afghanistan (16.4%), Tunisia (12.1%), Egypt (9.6%), Bangladesh (8%), Turkey (5.7%), and Pakistan (5.5%). Pakistani districts contributing the highest numbers of illegal emigrants included Gujarat, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, and Sialkot.
Deportations and Offloading: A Rising Trend
In 2022, over 46,000 Pakistanis who illegally entered Europe were deported by air, with another 5,676 deported by land. Additionally, 19,055 were offloaded before reaching their destination. In 2023, the deportation numbers continued to rise, with more than 25,000 Pakistanis deported by air and 3,150 by land. Over 10,000 were offloaded in the first eight months of the year.
Efforts to Combat Human Smuggling
Following the tragic deaths of hundreds of illegal Pakistani immigrants near the Greek coast in June 2023, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and other law enforcement agencies intensified efforts against human traffickers. In 2023, 189 cases were registered, and 854 individuals were arrested for involvement in human smuggling.
Recommendations to Tackle Illegal Migration
The report made several recommendations to curb the growing trend of illegal migration. It advised authorities to raise awareness in regions with high migration rates, particularly those with significant emigration interest. It also recommended the formation of intelligence units at the district level to prevent human trafficking and urged the creation of legal migration channels to offer safer alternatives for those seeking to leave Pakistan.
