Pakistani Nationals’ Bodies Repatriated from Iran After Migration Tragedy

Two Pakistani nationals, who lost their lives near the Iran-Türkiye border while trying to migrate illegally to Europe, have been returned home, a senior diplomat confirmed on Tuesday. Authorities in Islamabad continue to intensify efforts against illegal migration, with officials warning citizens to avoid human smugglers and the dangers associated with unauthorized travel.

Pakistan says it has stepped up action against illegal immigration and human trafficking in recent years, reporting a 47% drop in illegal migration to Europe this year and the arrest of more than 1,700 suspected human smugglers, according to official figures.

However, people continue to attempt dangerous irregular journeys in search of work and better economic opportunities abroad.

• Two Pakistani nationals, Armanullah and Ihtasham from Nowshera, died near Iran-Türkiye border while attempting illegal migration.

• Bodies repatriated through Taftan border, confirmed Pakistan’s ambassador to Iran, Muhammad Mudassir Tipu.

• Authorities warn citizens against human smugglers and unsafe, unauthorized travel abroad.

• Pakistan reports a 47% drop in illegal migration to Europe this year.

• Over 1,700 suspected human smugglers arrested amid nationwide crackdown.

“The mortal remains of Pakistani nationals Mr. Armanullah s/o Gul Rahman and Mr. Ihtasham s/o Mukhtar Gul, both residents of Nowshera, have been repatriated to Pakistan through Taftan border earlier today,” Pakistan’s ambassador to Iran, Muhammad Mudassir Tipu, said in a post on social media platform X. “Both had fallen victim to the greed of human smugglers and lost their lives in extremely harsh weather conditions near Iran’s border with Turkiye.”

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“I once again request the youth back home not to be trapped by human smugglers and instead follow the legal path to travel abroad,” he added, thanking the government of the Balochistan province in Pakistan for arranging the transportation of the bodies and offering condolences to the victims’ families.

The issue illegal immigration has drawn heightened scrutiny since 2023, when hundreds of people, including Pakistani nationals, died attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea in an overcrowded vessel that sank off the Greek coast, prompting Islamabad to launch nationwide investigations into human smuggling and trafficking networks.

Authorities have since arrested Pakistani and foreign nationals at airports with forged travel documents, highlighting the scale of document fraud linked to illegal departures.

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In September, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) released a list of more than 100 of Pakistan’s “most wanted” human smugglers and identified major trafficking hubs across Punjab province and the capital, Islamabad.

Earlier this month, Pakistan announced plans to roll out an artificial intelligence-based immigration screening system at Islamabad airport from January, aimed at detecting forged documents and preventing illegal travel abroad, as part of broader efforts to curb human smuggling and unauthorized migration.