At least four Pakistani nationals have been rescued from human traffickers in coordination with the Iranian government, according to a statement from Pakistan’s embassy in Tehran. This development comes amid a surge in migrant boat tragedies, largely driven by organized criminal networks.
Human smuggling remains a significant challenge in Pakistan, with traffickers utilizing land, sea, and air routes to illegally transport individuals, primarily to Europe. Despite ongoing enforcement efforts, smugglers continuously adapt, making the issue persistent.
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“The Embassy of Pakistan, with the cooperation of the Government of Iran, successfully rescued four Pakistani citizens today,” the statement read, adding that the human smugglers involved were also arrested during the operation.
Traffickers, in exchange for large sums of money, often guide migrants on dangerous foot journeys from Pakistan into Iran, ultimately abandoning them on Europe-bound, unsafe boats. Many such vessels sink, resulting in mass casualties. In some cases, smugglers murder their victims, while in others, they hold them hostage for additional ransom.
According to the Pakistani embassy, the rescued individuals had entered Iran legally but were kidnapped by a human trafficking network that tortured them and demanded heavy ransom from their families.
“The timely intervention of the embassy of Pakistan and the Iranian authorities saved their lives,” the statement emphasized.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran, Muhammad Mudassir Tipu, urged Pakistanis traveling to Iran to use legal channels and remain in contact with the Pakistani embassy in case of any emergency, warning them to remain cautious and avoid falling victim to human traffickers.
Earlier this month, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that at least 16 Pakistanis had died, while 10 others remained missing, following a boat capsizing incident near Libya.
Reports indicate that the ill-fated boat carried 63 Pakistanis. As of February 11, 2025, 16 bodies had been recovered, with their nationalities confirmed through passports.
A report in The News highlighted the various sea routes used for illegal migration from Pakistan. Many migrants embark on dangerous journeys via the Port of Gwadar, using the Coastal Highway that connects Karachi to Gwadar. From departure points like Pasni, Jiwani, Pishukan, and Surbandan, smugglers arrange boat trips through the Gulf of Oman to Iran, with the ultimate destination being Turkey and Europe.
For those with financial means, air travel provides an alternative route. Some migrants use valid passports and visas to travel legally from Karachi to Dubai before making their way to Libya.
FO Responds to Afghan Diplomat’s Remarks
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) has dismissed remarks made by the Afghan Charge d’Affaires in Islamabad regarding Pakistan’s Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP), calling them “misplaced.”
“His assertions regarding the mistreatment of Afghan nationals are misplaced,” an FO spokesperson stated in a media briefing on Wednesday.
The spokesperson reminded the Afghan diplomat that Pakistan has hosted millions of Afghans for decades with respect and dignity, offering them hospitality and access to resources such as education and healthcare, despite receiving minimal international support.
Pakistan initiated the IFRP in 2023 and implemented mechanisms to ensure that no individual was mistreated or harassed during the repatriation process.
The FO official further noted that Pakistan had engaged extensively with Afghan authorities to facilitate a smooth repatriation process and urged the interim government in Kabul to create conditions for the successful reintegration of returnees into Afghan society.
“The real test for Afghan authorities will be to ensure that the rights of these returnees, whom the Afghan diplomat mentioned, are protected in Afghanistan,” the spokesperson added.