The United Nations began its Migration Network in Pakistan with a ceremony in Islamabad. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) manages this new program. It aims to improve migration systems and protect the rights of migrants.
The network brings together Pakistan’s government, UN groups, community organisations, and the media to address issues related to migration and smuggling. IOM organises the network, and Muhammad Yahya is the main leader. Canada’s Immigration and Citizenship group also helps.
The network’s main goal is to help Pakistan manage migration more effectively, prevent migrant smuggling and trafficking and to help make useful government policies. Muhammad Yahya said, “We want migration to be safe and well-organised.” He added that the network will protect migrant rights and help with issues faced by 1.6 million Pakistanis living in other countries.
IOM manages plans and works with other UN groups, such as the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and local partners. Muhammad Yahya leads projects that aim to make migration systems better. The network brings together many groups to solve problems like illegal border crossings, which affected 120,000 people in 2024.
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Pakistan faces big migration challenges. Approximately 2 million people leave Pakistan each year to seek employment. The country also hosts 1.7 million Afghan refugees, which is hard on Pakistan’s resources, especially after the floods in 2025 that cost $50 billion. This network supports global plans like the UN’s Global Compact for Migration, which encourages safe migration for everyone
