Adriana, the fishing boat, with hundreds of smuggled passengers from diverse backgrounds, embarked on a perilous journey. Pakistanis were also among those on board, who, like others, were determined to pursue dreams of a better life. Little did they know that their voyage would turn deadly.
The drowning of as many as 750 smuggled passengers in the Mediterranean Sea near Greece last month has sparked serious discussions on the migration policies, responsibility of nations to provide safe pathways for asylum seekers, and urgent need to address root causes that force individuals to take desperate journeys.
The smuggling of migrants is an ongoing problem in Pakistan. The country serves as both a source and a transit point for irregular migration. Individuals are recruited for smuggling in Pakistan and smuggling networks facilitate their movement from Pakistan to Middle East, Europe and beyond.
Various push-and-pull factors drive human smuggling in Pakistan. Push factors include economic hardships, lack of employment opportunities, poverty, political instability, climate change, insecurity, and conflicts in certain regions. While, pull factors encompass the promise of better economic prospects, employment opportunities, and desire for family reunification in destination countries.
These push-and-pull factors influence people's decisions to immigrate for a better life, leading to a migration trend through both legal and illegal channels. Pakistan is one of the largest labour-exporting countries in the region, with more than 10 million Pakistanis migrating to the Middle East and European countries since 1971, according to official statistics.
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reports, Pakistani nationals are among the most detected nationalities attempting irregular migration to the European Union (EU), and Australia. Remittances sent home by migrants play a crucial role in poverty reduction in the country.
Pakistan's borders with Afghanistan, Iran, and India make it a strategic location for irregular migration. Migrants often pass through Pakistan on their way to other countries, including those in the Middle East, Europe, and North America. Smuggling networks in Pakistan utilise established routes, both overland and through sea, with borders with neighbouring countries, particularly Afghanistan and Iran, which are frequently used for smuggling operations.
The outward smuggling route from Pakistan is primarily across the vast, rugged, and sparsely populated Balochistan province, which shares borders with Iran and Afghanistan. The ‘Naukundi route’ in Balochistan is particularly notorious.
Criminal networks, smugglers, and facilitators form intricate networks to organise and execute smuggling operations, charging significant fees in exchange for transportation, documentation, and guidance throughout the migration journey.
Human smuggling poses significant risks and dangers to migrants. Migrants who participate in irregular migration face numerous risks. They often travel in overcrowded boats, hidden compartments of vehicles, or on foot through treacherous terrain. These networks often exploit vulnerable migrants by subjecting them to dangerous conditions, physical abuse, and extortion. This exposes them to hazards, such as human trafficking, physical violence, sexual abuse, extortion, kidnapping, and death.
The recent incident of trawler sinking in Greece should serve as a wake-up call for countries such as Pakistan – to invest in border control and mass awareness campaigns that educate potential migrants about the risks involved in irregular migration and the importance of travelling via legal pathways.
To combat irregular migration, two important laws were passed in 2018 – Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act (PTPA) and Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants Act (PSMA). Still the law enforcement agencies face many challenges, such as inadequate resources, limited capacity and corruption.
Surprisingly, the performance of the government departments and ministries, directly and indirectly involved in checking smuggling of migrants, is not up to the mark. The government must bring together all relevant departments and clearly define their roles and responsibilities.
Based on my research interviews with government officials, the UN agencies and private sector entities specialising in migrant smuggling, I have gathered several recommendations:
1- Successful interventions require coordination between national and international law enforcement agencies. While irregular migration is a legal and security concern, it is crucial to approach this issue from a humanitarian perspective. Many migrants are driven by desperate circumstances and seek safety, better livelihood, or family reunification. Humanitarian responses should focus on protecting migrants’ rights, providing access to basic services, and addressing the underlying causes of irregular migration.
2- Investing in modern surveillance technology, such as cameras, radar systems, and drones, can help in monitoring and securing border areas. Increasing the presence of border patrol forces and equipping them with necessary resources and training is also crucial. Strengthening cooperation and information sharing with neighbouring countries can aid in coordinated border control efforts.
3- Providing comprehensive training programmes to border control personnel, law enforcement agencies, and relevant government officials can enhance their skills in detecting irregular migration, identifying forged documents, and apprehending smugglers. Specialised training on human trafficking awareness, victim identification, and appropriate response protocols is also essential. It is worth mentioning that certain UN agencies, such as UNODC, IOM and others are assisting the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and police to enhance their technical capacity to intercept human smuggling and trafficking.
4- Establishing strong information-sharing mechanisms among national and international law enforcement agencies can aid in identifying and dismantling smuggling networks. Strengthening cooperation with source, transit, and destination countries through agreements, joint operations, and sharing of intelligence can effectively combat irregular migration.
5- Addressing the smuggling of migrants in Pakistan necessitates a multifaceted approach that includes cooperation among countries of origin, transit, and destination. Efforts should focus on addressing the root causes of irregular migration, improving economic opportunities, strengthening border control measures, enhancing law enforcement capacity, raising awareness on risks of irregular migration, and providing support services to migrants, including access to legal aid and safe repatriation when necessary.
6- Launching mass awareness campaigns to educate communities about risks and consequences of irregular migration are vital. These campaigns should focus on highlighting dangers, such as human trafficking, exploitation, and potential loss of life during dangerous journeys. Promoting legal migration pathways and showcasing success stories of individuals who migrated through legal channels can help deter potential migrants from engaging in irregular migration.
7- Partnering with civil society organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that specialise in migration and trafficking issues may help in raising awareness, providing support services to migrants, and facilitating safe and voluntary return when necessary. Collaboration with these stakeholders can ensure a holistic approach to addressing irregular migration.
8- Finally, addressing the underlying push factors that drive irregular migration, such as poverty, lack of employment opportunities, and political instability, requires long-term strategies. Investing in economic and social development programmes, creating job opportunities, improving education and healthcare systems, and promoting social inclusion can reduce incentives for individuals to resort to irregular migration.
While it is disheartening to witness the loss of lives and anguish felt by families who mourn the death of their loved ones, we must channel our grief into meaningful action. Governments, non-governmental organisations, and civil society must unite to prevent similar tragedies in future by implementing and enforcing stricter border management policies, dismantling smuggling networks, and raising awareness about the perils of irregular migration.
The Adriana tragedy is a stark reminder that life should not be endangered in pursuance of a better future. It is incumbent upon nations to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of individuals while addressing the complex socio-economic factors that drive irregular migration.
The drowning of as many as 750 smuggled passengers in the Mediterranean Sea near Greece last month has sparked serious discussions on the migration policies, responsibility of nations to provide safe pathways for asylum seekers, and urgent need to address root causes that force individuals to take desperate journeys.
The smuggling of migrants is an ongoing problem in Pakistan. The country serves as both a source and a transit point for irregular migration. Individuals are recruited for smuggling in Pakistan and smuggling networks facilitate their movement from Pakistan to Middle East, Europe and beyond.
Various push-and-pull factors drive human smuggling in Pakistan. Push factors include economic hardships, lack of employment opportunities, poverty, political instability, climate change, insecurity, and conflicts in certain regions. While, pull factors encompass the promise of better economic prospects, employment opportunities, and desire for family reunification in destination countries.
The drowning of as many as 750 smuggled passengers in the Mediterranean Sea near Greece last month has sparked serious discussions on the migration policies, responsibility of nations to provide safe pathways for asylum seekers, and urgent need to address root causes that force individuals to take desperate journeys.
These push-and-pull factors influence people's decisions to immigrate for a better life, leading to a migration trend through both legal and illegal channels. Pakistan is one of the largest labour-exporting countries in the region, with more than 10 million Pakistanis migrating to the Middle East and European countries since 1971, according to official statistics.
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reports, Pakistani nationals are among the most detected nationalities attempting irregular migration to the European Union (EU), and Australia. Remittances sent home by migrants play a crucial role in poverty reduction in the country.
Pakistan's borders with Afghanistan, Iran, and India make it a strategic location for irregular migration. Migrants often pass through Pakistan on their way to other countries, including those in the Middle East, Europe, and North America. Smuggling networks in Pakistan utilise established routes, both overland and through sea, with borders with neighbouring countries, particularly Afghanistan and Iran, which are frequently used for smuggling operations.
The outward smuggling route from Pakistan is primarily across the vast, rugged, and sparsely populated Balochistan province, which shares borders with Iran and Afghanistan. The ‘Naukundi route’ in Balochistan is particularly notorious.
Criminal networks, smugglers, and facilitators form intricate networks to organise and execute smuggling operations, charging significant fees in exchange for transportation, documentation, and guidance throughout the migration journey.
Human smuggling poses significant risks and dangers to migrants. Migrants who participate in irregular migration face numerous risks. They often travel in overcrowded boats, hidden compartments of vehicles, or on foot through treacherous terrain. These networks often exploit vulnerable migrants by subjecting them to dangerous conditions, physical abuse, and extortion. This exposes them to hazards, such as human trafficking, physical violence, sexual abuse, extortion, kidnapping, and death.
The recent incident of trawler sinking in Greece should serve as a wake-up call for countries such as Pakistan – to invest in border control and mass awareness campaigns that educate potential migrants about the risks involved in irregular migration and the importance of travelling via legal pathways.
To combat irregular migration, two important laws were passed in 2018 – Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act (PTPA) and Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants Act (PSMA). Still the law enforcement agencies face many challenges, such as inadequate resources, limited capacity and corruption.
Surprisingly, the performance of the government departments and ministries, directly and indirectly involved in checking smuggling of migrants, is not up to the mark. The government must bring together all relevant departments and clearly define their roles and responsibilities.
Governments, non-governmental organisations, and civil society must unite to prevent similar tragedies in future by implementing and enforcing stricter border management policies, dismantling smuggling networks, and raising awareness about the perils of irregular migration.
Based on my research interviews with government officials, the UN agencies and private sector entities specialising in migrant smuggling, I have gathered several recommendations:
1- Successful interventions require coordination between national and international law enforcement agencies. While irregular migration is a legal and security concern, it is crucial to approach this issue from a humanitarian perspective. Many migrants are driven by desperate circumstances and seek safety, better livelihood, or family reunification. Humanitarian responses should focus on protecting migrants’ rights, providing access to basic services, and addressing the underlying causes of irregular migration.
2- Investing in modern surveillance technology, such as cameras, radar systems, and drones, can help in monitoring and securing border areas. Increasing the presence of border patrol forces and equipping them with necessary resources and training is also crucial. Strengthening cooperation and information sharing with neighbouring countries can aid in coordinated border control efforts.
3- Providing comprehensive training programmes to border control personnel, law enforcement agencies, and relevant government officials can enhance their skills in detecting irregular migration, identifying forged documents, and apprehending smugglers. Specialised training on human trafficking awareness, victim identification, and appropriate response protocols is also essential. It is worth mentioning that certain UN agencies, such as UNODC, IOM and others are assisting the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and police to enhance their technical capacity to intercept human smuggling and trafficking.
4- Establishing strong information-sharing mechanisms among national and international law enforcement agencies can aid in identifying and dismantling smuggling networks. Strengthening cooperation with source, transit, and destination countries through agreements, joint operations, and sharing of intelligence can effectively combat irregular migration.
5- Addressing the smuggling of migrants in Pakistan necessitates a multifaceted approach that includes cooperation among countries of origin, transit, and destination. Efforts should focus on addressing the root causes of irregular migration, improving economic opportunities, strengthening border control measures, enhancing law enforcement capacity, raising awareness on risks of irregular migration, and providing support services to migrants, including access to legal aid and safe repatriation when necessary.
6- Launching mass awareness campaigns to educate communities about risks and consequences of irregular migration are vital. These campaigns should focus on highlighting dangers, such as human trafficking, exploitation, and potential loss of life during dangerous journeys. Promoting legal migration pathways and showcasing success stories of individuals who migrated through legal channels can help deter potential migrants from engaging in irregular migration.
7- Partnering with civil society organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that specialise in migration and trafficking issues may help in raising awareness, providing support services to migrants, and facilitating safe and voluntary return when necessary. Collaboration with these stakeholders can ensure a holistic approach to addressing irregular migration.
8- Finally, addressing the underlying push factors that drive irregular migration, such as poverty, lack of employment opportunities, and political instability, requires long-term strategies. Investing in economic and social development programmes, creating job opportunities, improving education and healthcare systems, and promoting social inclusion can reduce incentives for individuals to resort to irregular migration.
While it is disheartening to witness the loss of lives and anguish felt by families who mourn the death of their loved ones, we must channel our grief into meaningful action. Governments, non-governmental organisations, and civil society must unite to prevent similar tragedies in future by implementing and enforcing stricter border management policies, dismantling smuggling networks, and raising awareness about the perils of irregular migration.
The Adriana tragedy is a stark reminder that life should not be endangered in pursuance of a better future. It is incumbent upon nations to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of individuals while addressing the complex socio-economic factors that drive irregular migration.