Pakistanis stranded in Myanmar await return

ISLAMABAD:

The return of Pakistani nationals stranded in Myanmar is facing delays due to ongoing legal complexities, with an estimated 19 to 20 Pakistanis still held in the country after being lured by promises of employment from illegal companies.

Efforts are underway by the Pakistani embassy in Myanmar to secure their release, officials report.

Since 2022, Pakistani authorities have successfully facilitated the return of 29 citizens who had travelled to Myanmar seeking work but ended up trapped in fraudulent schemes orchestrated by illegal camps and companies.

Sources said that most individuals seeking employment abroad hail from Punjab and have been funnelled into Myanmar via a large setup based in Mae Sot, a Thai city near the Myanmar border.

The base coordinates communications and handles the movement of individuals across the border.

Skilled technology professionals and highly educated youth are typically offered "online job" opportunities, only to find themselves engaged in various dubious operations upon arrival.

Many are forced into roles involving online scams, blackmail, and international fraud schemes targeting individuals in countries such as the US, Europe, and China.

The operations exploit modern technology for money laundering, cryptocurrency fraud, and casino scams, often enlisting tech-savvy individuals to carry out illegal activities on behalf of criminal networks.

Moreover, most Pakistanis in Myanmar are unregistered, having reached the country through unofficial agents, which makes their retrieval efforts more challenging.

The Pakistani mission continues to press for their release, actively negotiating with relevant authorities and employing all available channels.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued multiple public awareness videos to warn citizens about the risks of overseas employment scams.