Islamabad: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has released a comprehensive report titled “Perilous Passage: Human Smuggling in Pakistan,” which calls for a reframing of human smuggling from merely a transnational crime to a serious human rights violation. The report, part of the prestigious Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim Fellowship, details the grave risks and abuses faced by irregular migrants, including torture, extortion, and even death.

According to Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, the report underscores the economic desperation driving individuals to engage with human smuggling networks. It challenges the perception that migrants willingly accept the risks of illegal border crossings, pointing out that this misconception has led to inadequate attention to human smuggling compared to human trafficking. The narrative documented follows an irregular migrant’s journey from Punjab to Turkey, highlighting that unemployment, poverty, and conflict are the primary motivators for such perilous ventures.

The HRCP criticizes the current enforcement measures under the Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants Act 2018, arguing that the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) efforts are insufficient and possibly compromised due to the scale of these operations likely being known to and tacitly supported by some officials. The report advocates for the ratification and implementation of the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea, and Air, emphasizing that destination countries also have a duty to protect the rights of irregular migrants.

Furthermore, the HRCP calls for amendments to the Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants Act 2018 to focus more on human rights and address the abuses migrants face. It suggests reforms within the FIA to enhance accountability and tackle corruption that allows human smuggling networks to thrive. Long-term solutions proposed include improving economic conditions and creating more opportunities within Pakistan to reduce the compulsion for illegal migration.