Bilawal Kamran
The heartbreaking tragedy that unfolded near Greece this past Saturday, where five Pakistanis, including a minor, lost their lives in a migrant boat capsize, is a stark reminder of the perilous journeys many are forced to take in search of a better life. This tragedy is not unique; it’s part of a tragic pattern that has seen countless Pakistanis, and people from other countries, risk everything for the hope of a better future. Just last year, Pakistan mourned the loss of over 400 of its citizens who perished while attempting the same perilous journey across the Mediterranean to Europe. In both cases, the heartbreak is compounded by the failure of governments, both at home and abroad, to address the root causes of this migration crisis.
Once again, the world responds with sorrow, thoughts, and prayers. International leaders issue statements of regret and vow to do more to improve the conditions of migrant lives. But these promises are largely hollow, and the cycle continues unabated. The boat tragedy off Greece, occurring just before International Migrants Day, underscores the irony that these ‘days’ of recognition have little tangible impact on the ground. No amount of awareness campaigns or op-eds by lawmakers will change the fact that for many Pakistanis, leaving the country is no longer just a desire, but a desperate necessity.
This tragedy, and the broader issue of migration, reveals a profound sense of disillusionment among people in Pakistan. For many, their country offers little hope, a reality that pushes them to seek escape at any cost. The socioeconomic situation in Pakistan continues to deteriorate, with a depreciating rupee, rising unemployment, and the absence of opportunities for youth. These conditions fuel frustration, and for many, the risk of embarking on a dangerous, uncertain journey to Europe or elsewhere is preferable to staying in a country where the prospects of a better life seem non-existent.
The desperate journey of many Pakistanis is also a consequence of a dysfunctional and inadequate system at home. The government’s inability to provide a viable path for the youth to pursue their dreams forces them to turn to human smugglers. These smugglers, who operate with impunity, exploit the vulnerability of desperate individuals, charging exorbitant sums of money in exchange for promises of a better life abroad. Last year, families of the victims of a Greek boat disaster revealed that they had paid up to Rs2.3 million to human traffickers, believing that their loved ones were being sent to Europe through legal channels. However, they were misled, and what followed was an illegal and dangerous journey that ended in tragedy.
The consequences of such illegal migration are severe. Human traffickers often subject their victims to inhumane conditions, putting them in overcrowded, unsafe environments where they are vulnerable to physical harm and abuse. For many women migrants, these smuggling rings also serve as conduits for sexual exploitation. The horrors of human trafficking are well-documented, and yet, the international community and the respective governments have failed to take comprehensive action to combat this issue effectively.
While the tragedy of migrants’ suffering is deeply felt, the responsibility does not rest solely with the smugglers or the migrant-sending countries. The international community, particularly the wealthier nations of the Global North, often express concern for the plight of migrants. However, their actions frequently fall short of their rhetoric. These countries frequently ignore the root causes of migration and instead focus on symptoms, offering little in terms of long-term solutions or aid to migrant-origin countries. Many Western nations, for example, continue to adopt increasingly hostile attitudes towards migrants and minority communities. The recent riots in the United Kingdom serve as a stark reminder of the growing resentment towards immigrants, despite the rhetoric of inclusivity and diversity often espoused by these countries.
This contradiction is glaring: wealthy nations promote values of acceptance and diversity, but when faced with the reality of migration, their responses often show little regard for the very people they once claimed to support. In many cases, migrants from countries like Pakistan are treated with disdain or hostility, with their desperation dismissed as an inconvenience. As a result, these migrants face even more obstacles upon arrival in developed countries, including racism, discrimination, and restricted access to essential services.
At home, the state of affairs in Pakistan has reached a point where many young, talented individuals are left with few options but to risk their lives in pursuit of a better future. Despite the occasional media coverage and promises from politicians, the reality for most citizens remains bleak. The economic situation is dire, and job opportunities continue to shrink, making it all the more likely that young people will turn to illegal means in their desperation to escape. The situation has been exacerbated by a political environment that is more focused on power struggles than on addressing the needs of the people.
What Pakistan needs is not just empty promises or symbolic gestures of solidarity with migrants, but concrete action to address the underlying causes of mass migration. The government must work towards creating a better economic and social environment for its citizens. Young people should not have to risk their lives to seek opportunities abroad. The state must invest in education, job creation, and infrastructure to create an environment where young people can see a future within their own country. Failure to do so will only fuel the cycle of desperation, forcing more individuals to take the perilous journey to foreign shores in search of a better life.
Moreover, political parties and other stakeholders must take responsibility for rebuilding Pakistan. Instead of focusing on divisive political rhetoric, there must be a concerted effort to stabilize the country and address the economic challenges it faces. The political leadership needs to prioritize policies that will provide opportunities for the youth and create a conducive environment for growth and development. The Pakistani government should also work closely with international partners to crack down on human trafficking and migration exploitation, ensuring that such tragedies do not become commonplace.
While the international community plays a role in addressing migration, it is primarily the responsibility of Pakistan to create the conditions for its citizens to thrive at home. It is also crucial for the international community to move beyond token gestures and work towards creating more sustainable migration policies that focus on the well-being of migrants and address the systemic issues that drive them to seek refuge elsewhere.
The cycle of migration, exploitation, and tragedy must end. The lives of innocent people should not be commodified for profit by human traffickers, nor should their struggles be ignored by those in power. It is time for real change — for Pakistan to prioritize the needs of its citizens and for the international community to act with greater compassion and foresight. Only then can we hope to prevent further loss of life and provide those seeking better opportunities with a chance at a future that doesn’t require them to risk everything on the open sea.
ChatGP
