Muhammad Danish Raza
Recently, on June 14, 2023, a tragic incident occurred in Greece involving a boat carrying 750 migrants, the majority of whom were residents of Pakistan. This devastating event has shed light on various perspectives regarding the underlying economic factors that drive individuals to risk their lives in search of a better livelihood. From the perspective of smugglers, victims, and the concerned authorities, these economic aspects play a crucial role in understanding the Greek boat tragedy. For smugglers, the economic motive behind their involvement in this illegal profession lies in the high demand for illegal migration among low- and middle-class rural families in Pakistan. In the case of the Greek boat incident, many of the victim families hailed from rural areas in central Punjab, including Gujranwala, Gujarat, Mandi Bahauddin, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, and Khui Ratta in the district of Kotli, Azad Kashmir. These regions are populated with individuals aspiring to secure a better future abroad, which allows smugglers to charge significant sums for their services in facilitating illegal migration. According to the father of one victim, he paid Rs. 2.2 million at the insistence of his son. The tightening job market in Pakistan, with an unemployment rate of 6.40 percent in 2023, provides strong incentives for human smugglers as desperate individuals are willing to become their victims. Similarly, there are several motivations for victims to resort to illegal means of migration. Firstly, with over 60 percent of Pakistan’s population being below the age of 30, many young individuals are in search of a reliable source of livelihood to economically support themselves and their families. Secondly, wage rates in Pakistan are considerably lower compared to developed nations worldwide, making the prospect of higher earnings abroad enticing. Thirdly, the devaluation of the Pakistani Rupee, coupled with economic instability, further strengthens the belief among young individuals that earning offshore would significantly impact the local currency when exchanged. Additionally, the high inflation rate in Pakistan has eroded the purchasing power of the people, driving the middle class toward poverty. Predictions from the World Bank suggest that Pakistan’s poverty rate will reach 37.2 percent in 2023. These factors contribute to approximately 40,000 people from Pakistan engaging in illegal migration to Europe each year, as witnessed in the recent Greek boat incident intended to transport immigrants to Italy. The authorities responsible for preventing such illegal activities face limitations in terms of allocating sufficient financial resources for effective monitoring of unauthorized border crossings. Pakistan, being the world’s fifth most populous country, requires substantial funding to manage the necessary resources for addressing the issue of irregular migration on a large scale. However, the economic condition of the country poses challenges to allocating significant funds to the Federal Investigation Authority (FIA), the concerned authority responsible for examining undocumented migration. The scarcity of financial resources becomes a notable obstacle in impeding irregular immigration. To avoid witnessing similar tragedies in the future, immediate measures must be prioritized. The government should initiate measures aimed at creating a business-friendly environment to generate employment opportunities for the country’s unemployed youth. Additionally, vocational training and skill development programs should be introduced through curriculum enhancements. Labor market reforms are crucial to ensuring fair minimum wage rates in collaboration with business organizations. Governance issues must be addressed by implementing meaningful reforms in the functioning of law enforcement agencies. Strict penalties for human smugglers should be incorporated into the penal code and effectively implemented through the judicial system. Furthermore, Pakistan should strive for bilateral and multilateral cooperation with other countries to address the root causes of unauthorized border crossings and promote legal channels of migration