Islamabad – The United Kingdom has unveiled strict reforms to address illegal migration, with Nigel Farage stating that all migrants entering without permission will be detained, deported to their countries of origin, and permanently banned from re-entering the UK.
UK’s Policy on Illegal Migration
British authorities say the new measures come in response to rising security concerns linked with the influx of undocumented migrants. Officials argue that unchecked arrivals have placed pressure on national resources, border management, and law enforcement, requiring tougher action to restore order.
Pakistan’s Approach Toward Afghan Migrants
Pakistan has adopted a similar stance, focusing on the repatriation of undocumented Afghan migrants. Authorities maintain that illegal Afghan residents pose risks to law and order and are a threat to national security. The government has repeatedly linked illegal settlement with issues such as smuggling, terrorism, and strain on the country’s already fragile economy.
Unlike the UK’s proposed blanket ban, Pakistan introduced a phased repatriation plan, allowed multiple deadlines for voluntary repatriation and provided legal pathways before enforcement began. Still, thousands of Afghans have been deported, and many more are in the process of returning under government orders.
Scale of Migration
The difference in numbers underscores Pakistan’s challenge. The UK has faced tens of thousands of undocumented arrivals in recent years, largely through small boat crossings, while Pakistan has been host to nearly four million Afghan nationals of which more than one million are estimated to be undocumented. Officials argue that no other country has carried such a burden for so long, and yet Pakistan’s enforcement measures are more lenient compared to Western practices.
Global Reactions and Double Standards
While the UK’s policy has been broadly defended as a necessary security measure, Pakistan’s similar actions have faced criticism from some international organizations and rights groups. Islamabad’s officials argue that such criticism reflects a clear double standard, if detaining and deporting migrants is deemed acceptable for the UK, then Pakistan’s policies should be equally justified, especially given the scale of its migrant population.
Pakistan has hosted millions of Afghan refugees for over four decades, often at great economic and social cost. Officials stress that its policies remain softer than those being planned in Western countries, yet global scrutiny has disproportionately focused on Pakistan.
