Islamabad, A comprehensive new report titled “Perilous Journeys: Unravelling Irregular Migration from Pakistan,” supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark and developed by the National Commission on Human Rights (NCHR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), was launched today, urging direct action to address the root causes of irregular migration from Pakistan.

According to Pak NGOs, the report provides an in-depth analysis of the complexities surrounding irregular migration, including the differences between human trafficking and migrant smuggling. It highlights economic factors as the primary drivers of migration, noting a significant rise in Pakistanis seeking to migrate due to lack of job opportunities, educational access, and social networks abroad. Despite not being among Europe’s top migration sources in 2022, Pakistan ranked fifth by mid-2023 with a notable increase in migrants arriving in Europe.

During the report’s launch, Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar and NCHR Chairperson Rabia Javeri Agha emphasized the importance of addressing economic and social issues within Pakistan to reduce the push factors of migration. IOM Chief of Mission Mio Sato presented the report as a roadmap for change, outlining a series of recommendations aimed at improving migration management and protecting migrants’ rights through cooperative efforts of government, civil society, and international partners.

The report advocates for a holistic approach to manage migration more effectively, suggesting the establishment of awareness units and promotion of legal migration channels to provide safer, orderly, and regular migration options.