In order to address Pakistan’s concern over the deportees being sent without verification, the EU had agreed to ensure deportees are strictly in line with the Readmission Accord, the immigration laws and the procedures acceptable to Pakistan. PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD: Despite the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) claim of successes in taking down human traffickers, the number of Pakistani illegal migrants arrested abroad and sent back remains high. Turkey is the favourite destination of these migrants. Turkey’s proximity to Europe and its hosting of the world’s largest refugee population allows migrants from South and Central Asia to mix in and try their luck at entering Europe.
Approximately 5,100 Pakistani nationals have been arrested by Turkish authorities for illegally entering their country between May 2013 and May 2016. The figures were released after a question was raised by lawmaker Shahida Rehmani. More than 4,800 such migrants have been deported. However, the remaining 300 Pakistanis are still in the process of being deported.
According to FIA sources, Turkey serves as a transit country for the migrants who attempt to cross the border to get into Europe. They said these migrants enter Turkey via Iran and they try use Turkey to enter Greece or other neighbouring countries. They also said that it takes 10 days to a month to reach Turkey through the land route. Their main objective is to get a better livelihood.
Recently immigration officials had been receiving a lot of deportees from Turkey on a day to day basis at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport Islamabad. Under the newly adopted policy, the FIA begins its investigation of the deportees upon their arrival at the airport. The authorities have also started a crackdown against the human smugglers who are transporting these migrants. Gujrat and Mandi Bahahuddin continue to be the parts of the country where most of the human traffickers are residing. Human smugglers and those who want to cross the borders of Turkey to get better opportunities generally make a deal before starting their journey from Pakistan.
The smugglers charge an individual a minimum of Rs400,000 for the journey. However, the agreed sum is paid in Pakistan when it is learnt that the crossing has been successful. In case of failure, the human smugglers have no chance to collect the fee.
The issue of illegal immigrants in Turkey and in European Union (EU) has become a serious cause of concern for Pakistan. In order to address the issue, Pakistan and the EU had come to an understanding in February 2016.
In order to address Pakistan’s concern over the deportees being sent without verification, the EU had agreed to ensure deportees are strictly in line with the Readmission Accord, the immigration laws and the procedures acceptable to Pakistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 3rd, 2016.
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