The Challenges of Illegal Immigration in Pakistan

Illegal migration refers to the movement of individuals across national borders without legal authorization. According to the Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants Act, 2018, Section 2(d), “illegal entry” means crossing borders through any port or place other than a designated port or without complying with the legal requirements for entering Pakistan or another country.¹ Similarly, Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute defines illegal migrants as individuals who enter or remain in a country unlawfully.² In my opinion, illegal migration causes more harm than benefit because it disrupts national security, negatively affects local employment, and creates social tensions. The Politeia Research Foundation further defines illegal migration as a thriving criminal industry composed of multiple market segments, often reliant on complementary crimes such as identity fraud and money laundering.³

A tragic example highlighting the dangers of illegal migration was reported by the Politeia Research Foundation, where nearly 300 Pakistanis drowned after their vessel capsized in the Mediterranean Sea on 14 June 2023.³ The boat had sailed from the shores of Libya toward Europe. Although the passengers included nationals from Syria, Afghanistan, Palestine, and Egypt, the majority of the victims were Pakistani citizens. This incident, despite receiving limited global attention, became a major motivation for investigating and understanding the factors, mechanisms, and infrastructure that facilitate large-scale migrant smuggling from Pakistan, a country geographically distant from the Mediterranean region.

This was not an isolated incident. According to the European Migrant Smuggling Centre (EMSC), law enforcement authorities from Spain, Bosnia, Croatia, Italy, Romania, and Slovenia—working in coordination with Europol and Eurojust—arrested a criminal migrant-smuggling network involving Pakistani nationals.⁴ The network also included individuals from Colombia, Spain, and Romania and smuggled migrants using vans and trucks along the Western Balkan route into Italy and Spain. The EMSC reported that the network generated an illegal turnover of approximately €2 million by transporting around 400 migrants.⁴ Furthermore, the Annual Report 2020–2021 of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development provides an overview of illegal Pakistani citizens residing abroad.⁵

Illegal migration has significant economic consequences. The availability of undocumented, unskilled labor often leads to lower wages in sectors such as construction, mining, and agriculture, making it difficult for local workers to compete. Many illegal migrants operate within the informal economy, which lacks regulatory oversight and taxation, resulting in reduced government revenue and slowed national development. A high concentration of undocumented migrants can also strain public resources, particularly healthcare and education systems. Moreover, the informal nature of this economic activity makes it difficult for governments to accurately track economic data, leading to underreporting and economic distortions.

Illegal migration also reflects deeper societal problems such as poverty, unemployment, and lack of opportunity. These issues can create social dissatisfaction and alienation, particularly among youth who may perceive illegal migration as their only viable option. Similar economic impacts have been observed in other countries. For example, Italy has faced rising unemployment and housing shortages due to uncontrolled migrant inflows, affecting local economies and social stability. Likewise, in Malaysia, undocumented migrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar have affected wage levels and employment opportunities for locals, particularly in plantations and factories, where job competition and wage suppression are common.

From a social perspective, illegal migration influences national security and social cohesion. The presence of a large undocumented population may increase the risk of criminal activity and lead to social alienation and conflict. Cultural differences between migrants and host communities can result in misunderstandings and social friction. However, migration can also contribute to cultural diffusion, as customs, languages, and traditions are exchanged, leading to new cultural expressions. The United Kingdom illustrates this dual impact: cities such as London have benefited from multiculturalism, while also experiencing tensions related to social cohesion and national identity.

Illegal migration also presents serious security challenges. In Pakistan, it can contribute to an increase in criminal activities such as smuggling, human trafficking, and terrorism. The high volume of undocumented migrants makes it difficult for authorities to monitor and regulate the population, posing risks to national security. Additionally, the need to control illegal migration diverts law enforcement resources from other critical areas. Internationally, similar challenges are evident. In the United States, over one billion dollars is spent annually on border security and immigration enforcement, and several states report increased pressure on schools and healthcare systems due to undocumented populations.

In conclusion, illegal migration causes more harm than benefit to Pakistan by threatening national security, weakening the economy, and disrupting social harmony and cultural stability. Economically, undocumented migrants often occupy low-wage jobs in sectors such as construction, mining, and agriculture, suppressing wages for local workers. However, there are ways to address this issue. Improving economic conditions through job creation and vocational training can discourage illegal migration, while awareness campaigns can highlight its dangers. To promote social harmony, registration and monitoring systems should be strengthened, and cultural integration programs should be encouraged. Finally, security concerns can be addressed through enhanced border surveillance, improved migration management, and strict enforcement of the Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants Act, 2018.

Bibliography

Legislation

1. Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants Act 2018 (Pakistan).

Secondary Sources

2. Cornell Law School, Legal Information Institute, ‘Immigration Overview’
   https://www.law.cornell.edu accessed 23 November 2025.
3. Politeia Research Foundation, Examining Illegal Migration from Pakistan (Hyderabad, India, 19 August 2023).
4. European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol), European Migrant Smuggling Centre (EMSC)
   https://www.europol.europa.eu accessed 23 November 2025.
5. Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Annual Report 2020–2021 (Government of Pakistan 2021)
   https://ophrd.gov.pk/ accessed 23 November 2025.