Gambling with fate on the high seas
In the last two months, more than 50 Pakistanis lost their lives trying to migrate to Europe illegally. Knowing full well the risks and life-threatening danger, hundreds dream of taking this route. Despite such tragic incidents where boats full of migrants capsize and hardly anyone survives, the obsession with illegal migration is not going away. What is the reason so many Pakistanis are not learning the lesson?
With hundreds of young Pakistanis risking their lives to flee political unrest, unemployment, and economic woes, illegal migration from Pakistan to Europe and other nations has sharply increased in recent years. Human smuggling networks, sometimes known as “Dunki” (from the English word “donkey”), denote a difficult and unlawful backdoor ingress into foreign countries. “There is no one reason for this, and there can’t be one. There are multiple factors, and every aspect is as important as the other,” said freelance researcher on national, international, and human rights issues, Nadeem Akhtar.
The most famous destinations for illegal immigrants are Italy, Greece, Germany, or the United Kingdom. The dangerous journey to these countries frequently passes via Iran, Turkey, and Eastern Europe.
There are serious repercussions for migrants who choose this unlawful route, including exploitation, arrest, expulsion, and even death. The main reason behind this serious situation is mostly the involvement of human traffickers who exploit innocent and naïve citizens to make money out of their misery.
Why Pakistanis do Dunki migration?
Numerous socioeconomic and political variables influence the decision to travel on the Dunki path. The economic situation in Pakistan is one of the main causes of illegal migration. Many young men believe they have no future in their native country due to skyrocketing inflation, unrealistic industrial growth, and a lack of employment possibilities. The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics reports that the country’s unemployment rate is approximately 6.5%, with youth unemployment being much higher. This economic desperation compels many to look for illicit ways to enter Europe in the hopes of finding better living conditions. Pakistan has seen ongoing political unrest, including numerous government transitions, corruption, and a precarious state of law and order.
All these factors make up the minds of youngsters to find one way or another to leave and earn better. But the grass is greener on the other side.
Nadeem Ali*, a 23-year-old eldest sibling of three sisters and two brothers, thinks that the only solution to his family’s problems is for him to find a way to go to Europe and send back money. “One of my cousins went to Greece 10 years ago and they are so settled now and have a better house. His sisters got married in good families and he can afford to get better medical treatments for his parents. Isn’t that what every son dreams of doing for the family,” he said while sharing why he is so motivated to try for legal or illegal means to move to Europe.
Ali lives in Gujranwala and has completed his Bachelor’s in commerce. He has been applying to several universities for a Master’s programme but hasn’t secured a scholarship yet. “People like us don’t get the opportunities that easily, so we have to go a step forward and take such risks where that one leap can change the dimensions of the families,” the young man lamented. He shared that his cousin who went via illegal route, had some difficulties in the beginning but after a few months everything started to fall into place. As far as people who die on the journey are concerned, he leaves fate to god. “We need to have faith in our Maker that if he has destined us to die this way that no one can stop it,” he said.
Many young Pakistanis feel that an ineffective system that does not provide equitable opportunities for success crushes their dreams and Ali’s dreams are unmet. “My father has a small farmland near Gujrat which he inherited from my grandfather. Today the land costs around two million rupees and we do not even use it for anything. Isn’t it a good investment that I can use that money to go to Europe so my family back at home can have a better life,” he said sharing how adamant he is to leave Pakistan.
Many people view moving to Europe as a status symbol in addition to a means of achieving financial security. It gives the impression that the trip is worthwhile due to the success stories of people who were able to relocate to Europe and send money home. “I have seen many neighbours and distant relatives taking the same route and becoming successful. Such stories are tempting to young minds like me who do not see it as a risk but as the only chance to prove themselves in this world,” he said.
Young men are encouraged to try their luck through unlawful routes, even staking their lives, by their families, relatives, and society's expectations. Many Pakistanis find it difficult to obtain a valid visa for European countries or other affluent nations because of strict immigration laws, problems with documents, and limited financial resources. Many see illicit ways as their only option because they lack the means or educational credentials necessary to secure jobs or student visas. “We can work in positions in which no one works; we can clean toilets, serve people, clean houses, and work at the least desired positions as well. Their system needs people like us who they can exploit but the thing is the money we earn there (doing such menial jobs) is better than what we get here,” he said sadly.
A dangerous journey
Cities like Gujranwala, Gujrat, Mandi Bahauddin, and Sialkot are usually where migrants start the illegal trek. “That is the belt from where most of the people are keen to take this adventure and that is mainly the hub of the traffickers who lure these innocent souls,” said Muhammad Nafees, a senior research associate at the Centre for Research and Security Studies. He pointed out that agents or human smugglers make contact with human traffickers or local brokers, who offer them safe travel to Europe in return for a large payment that can range from 1.5 million rupees to three million rupees ($5,000–$10,000).
The first significant step is entering Iran, either by boat from the Makran Coast or by crossing the border with Balochistan at Taftan. With migrants being crammed into hidden trucks or compelled to walk across hostile desert terrain, this portion of the journey is exceedingly dangerous. Iranian border guards frequently detain or even shoot undocumented travellers. After arriving in Iran, migrants continue their trip, frequently on foot, towards Turkey.
One of the hardest parts of the trip is getting to Greece. Either migrants try to travel by land through Bulgaria or in crowded, flimsy boats across the sea and these are the journeys where many people drown.
Detention in refugee camps is one of the many hardships endured by those who survive. After arriving in Greece, migrants attempt to continue their journey into Western Europe, frequently using false credentials or hiding in trucks. Some attempt to enter Italy using smuggling networks, while others travel through different countries through Serbia, Bosnia, and Croatia. They frequently live as undocumented workers in difficult conditions while performing menial tasks after arriving in nations like Germany, France, or the UK.
The role of human smugglers
The networks of human smugglers operating at various points along the whole journey are the lifelines of this system. The smugglers offer fake documents, make arrangements for safe houses and transportation, and demand huge amounts of money if apprehended by law enforcement. Many migrants become victims of forced labour, organ trafficking, or human trafficking, even if some make it to their destinations safely.
In the last few years, many cases that have been reported have shown the seas have turned into mass graves. In 2023 alone, more than 3,800 migrants lost their lives in the Mediterranean, according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). A large number of people are apprehended by Turkish, Iranian, and European law enforcement and subjected to cruel detentions before their deportation.
Government crackdowns and measures
The Government of Pakistan has pledged time and again to combat human trafficking organisations. Several smugglers engaging in illegal migration have been arrested in recent years by organisations such as the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). “Arrests are made now and then when any incident occurs but what about the implementation and punishing and bringing them to justice? We haven’t heard any case where these human smugglers have been detained or are in jails serving the sentences. They let them go free in a few months and the cycle starts again,” said Nafees, adding that in specific areas of Punjab people can afford to invest money in their children and this journey as the population in that belt of the country is not poor but have a different mindset. They are vulnerable to the agents who brainwash them and exploit their dreams.
This cycle of illegal migration will continue, taking many lives along the way, unless Pakistan and the European nations collaborate to address the underlying reasons, which include human trafficking, visa restrictions, and unemployment.
Why is it specific to a few cities?
Compared to other Pakistani provinces, Punjab has a far higher rate of illegal migration, especially through the Dunki route. For several reasons, this pattern has become engrained in this region’s social and economic fabric. “Since British colonial days, when many Punjabis migrated overseas for employment, especially to the UK, Punjab has had a lengthy history of migration. This pattern persisted after Pakistan gained its independence in 1947, with a sizable population of Punjabis relocating to North America, the Middle East, and Europe,” Nafees explained the pattern.
The second main factor is the uncountable success tales of migrants assimilated into the local culture over time. When people returned from these countries, they displayed their wealth, drove fancy automobiles, and constructed beautiful palaces like homes, encouraging others to do the same. As a result, many young men acquired a migration attitude in which they aspired to move overseas, no matter the cost. Many Punjabis who have already made their home in Europe assist their friends and family in emigrating illegally. Prospective migrants think they will be supported once they arrive, and this network ultimately facilitates the operations of human smugglers.
Even though Punjab is regarded as Pakistan's economic centre, many regions, especially rural Punjab, struggle with a lack of industrial development and job prospects. Jobs are frequently precarious and low paying, even in big towns like Gujranwala and Faisalabad. “Finding steady employment with good pay is a challenge for many young men in Punjab, particularly those from lower-middle-class backgrounds. In Pakistan, the average monthly pay is between 30,000 rupees and 50,000 rupees, which is insufficient to sustain a family in the face of growing living expenses and inflation,” said Akhtar, adding that many people firmly believe that the secret to financial success is earning money in euros or pounds. Even low-paying employment in Europe, including cleaning dishes, building or working in factories, are better than those in Pakistan.
Thousands of young men are encouraged to travel the illegal Dunki route because of this wage disparity and they think they will begin making money as soon as they arrive in Europe. “The major issue is Pakistan has a staggering number of increasing youth, and while our growth rate is abysmally low with 2% only and the population growth is highest in the region,” explained Akhtar. He also pointed out that when economic activity is not good for the youth in the country and they are not even given skills to make ends meet, then what options do they have other than trying such adventures?
Human traffickers entice young men and their families to pay substantial sums of money for the trip by making false promises and fabricating success stories. They minimise the trip’s risks by lying that the route is very safe and easy. The agents also show images and videos of migrants who have successfully arrived in other countries and to fulfil these dreams people sell everything they have to send their sons on this journey. “To finance their son’s unauthorised travel, families frequently sell their land and cattle, gold or even take out loans and in a few cases if the migrant does not make it to the end, the smugglers demand even more money for their release from detainee and refugee camps,” shared Akhter.
Social pressures
A successful migration is seen as a status symbol in many, especially in Punjab villages. Respect and appreciation are shown to young men who bring money back from overseas. “One of the main reasons why many young guys choose to choose the riskier path is the pressure to prove themselves, the mindset of when others can do it, so can I,” Akhter lamented who has been studying the subject closely. He also explained the herd mentality that pushes others to follow since so many people from the same villages are relocating. When one resident uses an illegal route to successfully travel, others are encouraged to take the same path.
Many people continue to underestimate the risks, even in the face of repeated accounts of migrants being abused by traffickers, being arrested, or drowning in the sea. “Strict visa rules for Pakistani passport holders make it very difficult for many Pakistanis to obtain a valid visa for these countries and that is because the value of our passport is not worthy enough in the eyes of the world,” said the freelance researcher. He also pointed out that high expenses for students or work visas make them have no choice other than to choose the criminal road because authorised routes are closed.
Illegal migration is a major issue that is worsened by social pressure, economic hardships, and human trafficking organisations. Thousands of young men continue to follow this route in the hopes of a brighter future despite the significant risks of exploitation, death, and expulsion. “The Pakistani government must take significant action to address this issue, including penalties against human traffickers, increasing employment opportunities to lessen the financial pressure to migrate, and awareness-raising initiatives to inform families of the risks,” Akhter suggested.
*Name has been changed to protect identity.