Illegal Migration From Pakistan to Europe Drops by 64%

Illegal migration of Pakistani nationals to Europe experienced a significant decline of 64% during January and February 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, according to data from the European Union's Frontex agency. In 2025, 1,224 Pakistani nationals were detected attempting illegal border crossings, but this number dropped to approximately 440 in the corresponding period of 2026, representing a decrease of 784 cases.

The data also highlights shifts in the routes commonly utilized by Pakistani migrants attempting to enter Europe illegally. Detections on the Central Mediterranean route fell by 63%, indicating a substantial change in migration patterns. This decline is attributed to increased efforts by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in combating human smuggling networks and illegal migration.

FIA Director General Usman Anwar has been leading the charge, implementing stricter measures to curb illegal migration while ensuring that the process for legally traveling Pakistanis is not hindered. FIA Deputy Director General for Immigration Nauman Siddiqui emphasized the introduction of clear procedures to balance immigration control with the facilitation of genuine travelers.

Under these new guidelines, passengers cannot be offloaded without proper justification, and officials are mandated to document the reasons for such actions on prescribed forms. These measures are being closely monitored to ensure accountability and prevent arbitrary actions against legitimate travelers. Furthermore, the FIA is enhancing its travel document verification system with technology-based solutions to swiftly identify forged or suspicious documents.

These efforts aim to bolster immigration clearance processes while minimizing disruptions for those with genuine travel documents.