Migration death toll

In 1947, Pakistan marked its place on the global map through an idealised notion of migration. Almost 80 years later, the struggle to migrate remains embedded in the very fabric of its people - only now, Pakistanis seek survival through migration to other countries. Economic instability, political turmoil and incessant social challenges have driven throngs of people away from this land and a large portion are those who opt for unsafe and illegal channels.

While the romanticised concept of a difficult journey in search of a better life seems appealing to many, illegal migration is wrought with obstacles that are often fatal. According to the United Nations' Migration agency, around 7,900 people died or disappeared on migration routes only in 2025. Within the context of a report by the Pakistan's National Commission for Human Rights that ranks Pakistan fifth among countries with the highest illegal migration to Europe, this number is deeply troubling.

The Pakistan government has taken notice of this issue alongside three EU nations - Italy, Spain and Greece. In a conference earlier this year, the four nations agreed to tackle this problem by promoting legal pathways to override illegal means. But this straightforward solution must be viewed through the lens of a struggling citizen who is already financially depleted and socially exhausted.

If those alternate legal pathways are still rife with red tape, people will continue to bet on their lives for the slightest glimmer of hope. On one hand, legal channels must remain unburdened by exhaustive documentation, but on the other, people must be given reasons to stay as well. Inflation and unemployment drive people to extreme measures, which is a direct result of hopelessness. If the government wants to eliminate illegal migration, it must show its people that it cares about their living struggles, and not only when they become statistical liabilities.