Perilous Journeys

By Dure Akram, from Lahore / Pakistan

The recent capsizing of four migrant boats off the coasts of Yemen and Djibouti, resulting in 186 individuals missing, has once again spotlighted the perilous journeys undertaken by migrants seeking better opportunities abroad. These migrants, often fleeing economic despair and seeking brighter prospects, find themselves ensnared in a deadly game manipulated by ruthless smugglers. The tragedy struck as smugglers, in their relentless pursuit of profit, disregarded adverse weather warnings issued by Yemen’s Civil Aviation and Meteorology Authority, in a bid to leave the Horn of Africa without landing on the radar of patrolling officers. For the families left waiting for news, the agonizing uncertainty morphs into a bleak reality, as hope erodes day by day.

This scenario is hauntingly familiar in Pakistan, where the allure of greener pastures continues to drive many to embark on dangerous sea routes across the Mediterranean, often with heart-wrenching outcomes. In February, at least 16 Pakistanis drowned off the coast of Libya when a boat carrying Europe-bound migrants capsized. A month earlier, another vessel carrying 86 migrants, including 66 Pakistanis, departed from Mauritania for Spain’s Canary Islands but was unfortunately stranded in the Atlantic Ocean for 13 days before capsizing. Almost 50 Pakistanis died.  Controversial reports detailing torture by local officials in Morocco, with some survivors alleging being hit by hammers, added to the frenzy. These incidents are not one-off events: media reports indicate that at least 40 Pakistanis have been murdered by human traffickers this year alone. Between December and mid-February, no fewer than four boats carrying Pakistani migrants capsized, leading to over 100 deaths and hundreds more rescued.  Many survivors remain in hiding in coastal countries, determined to attempt the perilous journey again.

In response, the Pakistani government has ramped up measures to combat human trafficking. This week, the Federal Investigation Agency, Pakistan’s premier border control and security agency, arrested two prominent traffickers implicated in the 2023 Libya boat tragedy. One of the suspects, Ataullah, was listed in the ‘Red Book’ of most-wanted traffickers and had deceived individuals by promising safe passage to Europe, leading to fatal consequences. Extensive screening at airports across the country has also been introduced to stop potential illegal immigrants from reaching transit destinations. The 2018 Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act (PTPA), as amended, criminalizes sex and labour trafficking, prescribing penalties of up to seven years imprisonment and fines for trafficking crimes involving adult male victims, and up to 10 years imprisonment for those involving adult women or child victims.

However, these arrests are just the tip of the iceberg in dismantling the deeply entrenched human trafficking networks operating within Pakistan and beyond.

Türkiye’s role in this crisis cannot be overlooked. As a key transit point for Pakistani migrants attempting to reach Europe, Türkiye’s geographical location makes it a critical chokepoint in the migration network. Many Pakistanis travel to Türkiye legally on visit visas but eventually become part of the human smuggling chain, attempting to cross into Greece or other EU states through illicit means. Turkish authorities have periodically cracked down on illegal migration networks, yet the persistence of these routes indicates the resilience of trafficking syndicates. It is estimated that between 5,000 to 6,000 Pakistanis reside in Türkiye illegally, although the exact number remains uncertain.

In December 2023, a contractual agreement was signed between Türkiye’s Presidency of Migration Management and Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) for the establishment of an electronic readmission case management system, aiming to facilitate and accelerate the safe and humane return of irregular Pakistani migrants in Türkiye.

Ergo, more collaboration between Pakistan and Türkiye is necessary to curb this menace effectively. Ankara’s experience in managing refugee flows from Syria and its stringent border controls can serve as a blueprint for Islamabad to enhance its policies on migration and border security.

A joint Pakistan-Türkiye task force on migration could prove invaluable, allowing intelligence-sharing mechanisms, coordinated law enforcement actions, and stricter border patrols. Given Türkiye’s existing agreements with the European Union on managing migration, Pakistan could leverage its ties with Türkiye to negotiate safer migration pathways for its citizens, ensuring that those seeking work abroad do so legally.

However, addressing the symptoms of this crisis is not enough. A holistic approach is needed to tackle the root causes pushing Pakistanis toward illegal migration. Economic hardship, unemployment, and the lack of viable opportunities compel many to risk their lives in search of a better future. There must be something wrong in our books that Pakistan now ranks fifth among countries sending migrants to Europe. It is also the fifth-largest contributor to these sea-based attempts.

The Pakistani government must prioritize creating economic incentives and employment opportunities, particularly in rural areas where desperation fuels the smuggling networks. Initiatives such as vocational training programs, microfinance support for small business startups, and bilateral labor agreements with countries offering legal migration pathways can significantly reduce the appeal of illegal routes. The creation of bilateral labor agreements with countries willing to legally accept Pakistani workers could also pave the way for safer, regulated migration routes.

The international community must not turn a blind eye to the suffering of these migrants. The European Union, Türkiye, and Pakistan should work together to establish safe migration corridors and crack down on organized crime groups profiting from desperate individuals. Policymakers would have to recognize that the fate of these individuals often lies at the intersection of local desperation and international indifference. To truly mitigate this crisis, there must be a concerted effort to empower migrant communities, ensuring that their aspirations for a better future remain alive and achievable within their homelands. The sobering stories emerging from the sea should galvanize international action, calling for better policies that prioritize human dignity over restrictive measures.

As is the norm in our part of the world, calls for strict accountability within the watchdog bodies mean an occasional suspension order, that too of someone who has little to do with the mess. That 65 office-bearers were blacklisted from posting at any immigration checkpoint can well illustrate how extensive the swamp is. Dubious, half-hearted intentions cannot compensate for the awareness, compassion and commitment needed to alter the lives of millions ready to jump down the cliff, come what may.