Illegal Migration of Pakistanis to Europe Drops by 64% Following Government Crackdown

Islamabad: Pakistan has recorded a 64 percent decline in the number of its citizens reaching Europe through illegal migration routes during the first two months of the year, according to official documents.

Government figures show that 440 Pakistanis arrived in Europe through irregular routes in January and February, compared with 1,224 during the same period last year. The decline has also been confirmed by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex).

Officials attributed the decrease to stricter screening procedures at airports, the offloading of suspicious passengers, intelligence-based monitoring, and an intensified crackdown on human trafficking networks.

According to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), nearly 40,000 passengers were prevented from traveling abroad last year after being identified as high-risk. Since December 2024, authorities have registered more than 2,400 cases against individuals allegedly involved in human trafficking and arrested over 3,000 suspected agents.

Authorities said enforcement efforts were strengthened following a series of fatal incidents on irregular migration routes, particularly boat tragedies in Greece and the Mediterranean Sea. More than 300 Pakistani migrants have reportedly lost their lives in such incidents over the past three years.

The government said it will continue working with European countries to combat illegal migration and human trafficking while safeguarding the interests of Pakistanis seeking lawful employment opportunities abroad.