KEY POINTS
- Pakistan pushes for safer migration pathways as diaspora crosses 9 million
- IOM seeks innovative partnerships for digital awareness, skills recognition.
- Pakistan PM forms special committee to investigate passenger offloading at airports.
- Over 240,000 Pakistanis registered for work in Saudi Arabia in first half of 2025.
- Artists, influencers champion evidence-based migration narratives.
ISLAMABAD: The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has reaffirmed its commitment to forging partnerships that pioneer new approaches to migration governance.
The announcement came during recent discussions marking International Migrants Day, where the need for coordinated, multi-sector action was a central theme.
Marking International Migrants Day 2025 on Monday, the UN migration agency emphasised its openness to collaborations that support digital awareness campaigns, skills recognition programmes, enhanced research and data systems, and collaborative training models with universities and private employers.
Information and Ethics
The event underscored Pakistan’s position as a top country of origin for migrants globally and emphasised innovation in migration governance.
A key theme was the urgent need for evidence-based narratives and stronger public-private cooperation to expand safe, regular, and ethical migration pathways.
“The event reflects our commitment to strengthening partnerships with the Government of Pakistan, and supporting migrants with information so that safe and regular mobility becomes a driver of development,” stated Ms. Mio Sato, Chief of Mission, IOM Pakistan.
Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, on the occasion said, “By expanding skills mobility opportunities and promoting ethical recruitment, we can enhance Pakistan’s contribution to the global workforce and drive development at home and abroad,” he said.
Safe Migration
Chaudhry Salik Hussain said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken “serious notice” of the frequent offloading of passengers with valid travel documents at Pakistani airports, ordering the formation of a special committee to investigate the matter.
The move comes after months of reported incidents where travellers holding genuine visas and complete documentation were barred from boarding international flights. These actions stemmed from a heightened crackdown on human smuggling networks following the 2024 Greece boat tragedy, which resulted in significant Pakistani casualties.
“Recently, despite having complete documentation, some passengers have still been offloaded. People who held valid visas were offloaded as well,” Minister Hussain stated, emphasising that safe migration is a fundamental right.
The newly constituted committee is tasked with preparing recommendations to ensure safe migration and address the offloading issue. A meeting is expected this week, with proposals targeted by the end of January.
The development follows earlier assurances from Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi that no passenger with “genuine and complete documents” should be barred from travel, and an FIA clarification that offloading was only for those without valid papers or suspected of ties to smugglers.
Across the dialogues, participants from government, civil society, and the private sector uniformly stressed that coordinated action is essential to ensuring migrants are well-informed, protected from exploitation, and able to access opportunities through safe and regular pathways.
IOM officials stated that such innovative partnerships are crucial for building a migration system that benefits both individuals seeking mobility and the communities involved, turning orderly migration into a powerful driver of sustainable development.
Migrant Journeys
The programme featured an original theatre performance by Theatre Wallay, drawing from real migrant experiences to portray aspiration, uncertainty, and resilience.
This artistic narrative complemented a dynamic panel discussion exploring safe migration choices, risks of trafficking and smuggling, and building public trust through accurate information.
The panel included Ms. Farwa Abbas from the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, filmmaker Syed Muhammad Hassan Zaidi, IOM’s Shaharyar Ahmad, and student migrant Minha Rana, offering multidisciplinary perspectives on the migration landscape.
Responsible Narratives
Speakers highlighted the pivotal role of credible information in combating exploitative practices targeting youth. Journalists and digital influencers actively engaged in the conversation, amplifying messages on safe migration.
“Events like this help us understand that informed decisions lead to safer journeys and stronger futures,” said content creator Abdullah Maroof, who shared his family’s migration story.
Anchorperson Absa Komal stressed the media’s critical role, stating, “It is important that we add positivity to the idea of migration.”
Coordinated Action and Partnership
IOM reiterated its openness to partnerships supporting digital awareness, skills recognition programmes, enhanced data systems, and collaborative training models. Participants universally stressed the need for coordinated action to ensure migrants are informed, protected, and can access opportunities through regular channels.
The event concluded with interactive IOM booths providing students with practical information on labour mobility, migrant protection, health assessments, and global digital platforms.
Marked annually on December 18, International Migrants Day (IMD) serves as a global reaffirmation of the need for safer, more inclusive, and equitable migration systems.
While migration is a powerful driver of growth, it remains widely misunderstood, and global systems often lack the necessary investment, partnerships, and evidence-based approaches to meet modern challenges.
Under the 2025 theme, “My Great Story: Cultures and Development,” the focus is on how human mobility fuels progress, enriches cultures, and strengthens the bonds between communities, allowing them to connect, adapt, and thrive together. This message underscores the urgent role of migration in shaping contemporary economies, societies, and sustainable development worldwide.
Pakistan’s Global Migrant Workforce
Global Diaspora: Approximately 9 million Pakistanis live abroad, according to late 2024 estimates, forming a significant international diaspora.
Record Labour Outflows: In 2024, 727,381 Pakistanis migrated for employment abroad, continuing a strong upward trend. The first quarter of 2025 alone saw 172,144 citizens moving overseas for jobs.
Saudi Arabia Leads Demand: Saudi Arabia remains the dominant destination. Over 242,000 Pakistanis registered for work there in just the first six months of 2025. Other Gulf nations, Qatar, Oman, and the UAE, are also major hubs, alongside traditional destinations like the UK, Germany, and the US, for skilled professionals.
