TURBAT: Police and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Sunday foiled an attempt to smuggle migrants across Pakistan’s border with Iran in a joint operation in Turbat district of Balochistan, detaining 29 Afghan nationals, including women and children, officials said.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kech Captain Zohaib Mohsin said the operation was conducted on the outskirts of Turbat, where officers intercepted a Land Cruiser carrying dozens of people. “The arrested persons include 12 men, 13 children and four women,” he said.
Two drivers were also taken into custody for allegedly facilitating the group’s illegal journey toward Iran. Initial investigations revealed that the Afghan nationals had planned to enter Iran through Balochistan and continue onwards to Europe, the SSP said.
“All the arrested persons have been handed over to the FIA for further investigation, while a probe has been launched into the network involved in the smuggling,” he added. The official noted that more arrests were expected as the investigation widened.
Growing migration risk
Authorities say migrant smuggling networks have become increasingly active across Balochistan’s border districts, exploiting vulnerable individuals seeking to reach Europe, the Middle East, or other destinations through perilous routes.
In September, the United Nations launched a Network on Migration in Pakistan aimed at improving migration governance and combating human trafficking. The initiative brings together government agencies, civil society, and international partners to address illegal migration and protect vulnerable migrants.
Despite the risks, thousands of people continue to use irregular routes in search of better opportunities. A 2023 study by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the European Union reported that 24,000 Pakistanis had entered EU countries illegally over the past three years.
The UK, the United States, and Australia have also recorded rising numbers of migrants attempting to enter through irregular channels, while European authorities continue to warn of growing human smuggling activity across the Mediterranean and Balkan routes.
Officials say the crackdown in Turbat is part of a broader campaign by law enforcement agencies to dismantle networks that facilitate cross-border human smuggling — a trade that endangers lives, damages Pakistan’s reputation, and fuels criminal activity across the region.
