25 Pakistanis deported from Poland after illegal entry

ISLAMABAD: At least 25 Pakistani nationals have been deported from Poland after attempting to enter the country illegally through routes linked to Belarus, underscoring rising concerns over organised human smuggling networks operating along the European Union’s eastern frontier.

Polish authorities confirmed that the deportations were carried out under legal administrative procedures after the individuals were found in violation of immigration laws.

"The group was repatriated by air as part of Poland’s broader crackdown on irregular migration, which European officials describe as a coordinated surge facilitated through Belarus," the Polish authorioties alleged.

European governments have repeatedly accused Belarus of enabling migrant flows towards EU borders as a form of geopolitical pressure. Positioned on the frontline, Poland has significantly tightened border controls, deploying fencing, advanced surveillance systems and rapid response units to curb illegal crossings.

Testimonies from deported Pakistanis highlight the dangerous and deceptive nature of these migration routes. Several individuals said they travelled via Russia before entering Belarus, where facilitators directed them towards Poland’s eastern border.

Others reported being taken through dense forests and remote terrain under the false promise of easy access to the European Union.

Many deportees revealed they had paid between Rs4.5 million and Rs50 million to human smugglers, often financing the journey through loans or by selling family assets. They described being misled about the risks involved, enduring harsh weather conditions, food shortages and eventual abandonment after being intercepted by border authorities.

European officials have warned that these crossings are being driven by well-organised smuggling networks operating from the Belarusian side, pointing to structured systems that exploit vulnerable migrants seeking entry into Europe.

The deportees themselves urged others to avoid similar attempts, cautioning that traffickers routinely exploit desperation with false assurances, leaving migrants stranded in life-threatening conditions.

Poland, which has adopted one of the strictest enforcement policies within the European Union, maintains that robust border management is essential to safeguarding regional stability. Authorities insist that deportations are conducted in accordance with legal frameworks and international obligations.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not yet issued a formal response regarding the deportation of its nationals.