The advisory follows recent incidents where Pakistani nationals drowned in the Mediterranean and Pacific Seas while attempting dangerous journeys to Europe aboard overcrowded and unsafe boats departing from Libya and Morocco
In a bid to tackle the growing menace of human trafficking, Pakistani authorities plan to intensify surveillance of young travellers heading to at least 15 countries allegedly used as transit hubs by people smugglers. The move comes amid a surge in illegal migration attempts to Europe via perilous land and sea routes.
Passengers aged between 15 and 40 will now be questioned by immigration officials before boarding flights to these destinations, according to two officials from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), which oversees immigration matters.
The advisory follows recent incidents where Pakistani nationals drowned in the Mediterranean and Pacific Seas while attempting dangerous journeys to Europe aboard overcrowded and unsafe boats departing from Libya and Morocco.
Stricter Immigration Measures
The FIA has instructed its ground officers at airports to profile passengers travelling from regions identified as hotspots for human trafficking.
“The focus is on early detection and prevention. We want to identify those who may be at risk of falling into the hands of human smugglers,” said an official familiar with the development.
Deadly Journeys Across Borders
Young people seeking better opportunities often pay millions of rupees to human smugglers who promise safe passage but expose them to grave dangers. These routes frequently involve hazardous land crossings and deadly sea voyages. Migrants risk drowning or facing violence at the hands of border guards in countries like Iran, Turkey, Libya, and Greece.
Although no official figures are available, officials estimate that hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis attempt these dangerous migrations each year.
The primary transit countries for illegal immigration to Europe include Azerbaijan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Egypt, Senegal, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Russia, Libya, Mauritania, Iraq, Turkey, and Kyrgyzstan.
Step Towards Safer Migration
Authorities hope the new surveillance measures will deter illegal migration and reduce the exploitation of vulnerable youth by international trafficking networks. However, experts caution that long-term solutions require greater awareness, legal migration channels, and better employment opportunities at home.
The advisory underscores Pakistan’s commitment to addressing the issue, which has not only claimed countless lives but also strained diplomatic ties with countries impacted by illegal migration routes.
