At the request of the Government of Pakistan, IOM initiated its activities in Pakistan in 1981 to support the influx of Afghan migrants into the country. Pakistan has been a Member State of IOM since 1992, and in October 2000 the Government of Pakistan and IOM signed a Cooperation Agreement.

In line with its global priorities, and in coordination with the Government of Pakistan, IOM implements a broad range of projects in Pakistan related to migration management, migration health, resettlement and reintegration, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), resilient recovery following disasters, capacity development and community stabilization.

IOM has an extensive presence throughout Pakistan, with its main office in Islamabad and sub-offices in Lahore, Mirpur, Karachi and Peshawar. IOM has productive and wide-ranging relations with government counterparts, UN agencies, international and national organizations and private sector companies.