Between October 2023 and October 2024, Pakistanis submitted 28,000 asylum applications in European Union Plus countries, according to the EU Agency for Asylum (EUAA).
The monthly numbers have seen a steady decline since reaching a high of 3,400 applications in October 2023, with the figure dropping to 1,900 in October 2024.
Italy was the main destination for Pakistani asylum seekers, followed by France, Greece, and Germany. The “Country Focus on Pakistan” report revealed that around 20,000 decisions were made on these applications, with only 12% of applicants granted refugee status or subsidiary protection.
Read More: Punjab Announces Over 1,000 Jobs in Health Department
As of the end of October 2024, nearly 34,000 decisions were still pending.
The report also outlines the political and security situation in Pakistan, including the role of the judiciary and the challenges faced by certain groups within the country. It also addresses the conditions of Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
Pakistan is ranked as one of the countries most vulnerable to modern slavery, with around 2.4 million people affected by forced labor or marriage. While the country has laws against human trafficking, corruption and a lack of effective enforcement continue to hinder progress, allowing perpetrators to act with impunity.
