Lahore, 29 August — Supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the National Commission on Human Rights (NCHR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) launched the "Perilous Journeys: Unravelling Irregular Migration from Pakistan" report in Lahore.

The report, which was first launched in May in Islamabad, examines the landscape of irregular migration originating from Pakistan, highlighting the distinction between human trafficking and migrant smuggling and shedding light on the drivers of migration, gaps in policy and legislation, and associated human rights abuses.

According to the report, while Pakistan was not among Europe’s top ten countries for migration in 2022, it became the fifth most prominent by mid-2023, with total arrivals for the year reaching 8,778 in December.

During his welcome remarks, NCHR Member Punjab, Nadeem Ashraf shared, “When it comes to migration, Pakistan faces a unique dilemma being both on the giving and receiving ends. Irregular migrants frequently have to endure unimaginable hardships while striving for a better life. The human smugglers who organize these dangerous crossings for their personal gains with little regard for human life need to be dealt with firmly.”

Speaking at the launch, IOM Chief of Mission, Mio Sato, reaffirmed IOM’s commitment to working with NCHR and partners to address the challenges of irregular migration. “The report we are launching today goes beyond statistics to share the human stories behind irregular migration. It urges us to shift our perspective from seeing migrants solely as a security threat to acknowledging the human rights aspects of irregular migration.”

Zunaira Inam, NCHR Research Lead and author of the report shared the report's findings with stakeholders at the event. “The impetus of the report was the Adriana fishing trawler that capsized on the coast of Greece, resulting in the loss of more than 350 Pakistani lives. In this digital age, many of these traffickers are now turning to digital platforms such as YouTube and TikTok to advertise their businesses. Adriana is a stark reminder of the dangers associated with these voyages.”

The report suggests that economic opportunity is the primary driver of migration from Pakistan, with factors such as job availability, access to education, and social networks influencing destination choices. Sohaib Ahmed Malik, Provincial Minister for Law and Chief Guest at the event, called for the need to engage youth, invest in their skill and capacity building, and create more employment opportunities so they do not fall prey to traffickers' scams. “Youth take inspiration from others, but the waters do not spare anyone,” he remarked, referencing the perilous journeys that irregular migrants have to take to reach their destinations.

While commending the report, Justice Mamoon Rashid, Chief Justice (Retired) Lahore High Court, echoed the call for increased capacity building, skill building and youth training and urged collaboration among stakeholders to tackle irregular migration.

The report concludes with comprehensive operational and policy recommendations to address irregular migration and offers clear guidance on legal responsibilities to ensure safe, orderly, and regular migration.

The full copy of the report can be viewed at: Perilous Journeys: Unravelling Irregular Migration from Pakistan

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For further information, please contact:
Maha Akbar, National Communications Officer, maakbar@iom.int