ISLAMABAD — At least 109 Pakistani nationals were among the 2,722 migrants from the Asia-Pacific region who died or went missing while attempting to cross international borders irregularly last year. According to the “IOM Missing Migrants Project 2026” report released on Tuesday, 2025 marked the second consecutive year where regional fatalities exceeded 2,700, underscoring the lethal risks associated with clandestine migration routes toward Europe and within Asia.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that at least 2,722 Asia–Pacific nationals died or disappeared around the world during international migration in 2025, with the largest number (1,492) being Afghan nationals.
According to the organization, at least… pic.twitter.com/pbNTTGDIPC
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Key Highlights
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Pakistan Statistics: 109 nationals confirmed dead or missing, ranking Pakistan as the third-highest country of origin for migrant fatalities in the Asia-Pacific.
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Regional Crisis: Afghanistan (1,540) and Myanmar (935) recorded the highest numbers of deaths, followed by Pakistan, Bangladesh (80), and India (15).
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The “Minimum Estimate”: The IOM warned that due to the clandestine nature of irregular travel, the actual death toll is likely significantly higher than recorded.
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South Asian Vulnerability: 91% of fatalities occurred within the Asia-Pacific region itself, particularly along land routes between Afghanistan and Iran.
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Incomplete Data: Disaggregation by age and gender remains a challenge, with information missing for roughly 40% of all recorded fatalities.
Deadly Routes: Land and Sea
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) report highlighted that the vast majority of lives lost—at least 2,471 individuals—occurred within the Asia-Pacific region. South Asia emerged as the deadliest sub-region, accounting for 1,547 of those fatalities.
While land routes between Afghanistan and Iran remained the most perilous for South Asian migrants, maritime routes across the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea continue to claim hundreds of lives, predominantly affecting Rohingya refugees from Myanmar. Beyond the region, at least 251 Asia-Pacific nationals disappeared along routes heading toward or within Europe, often in the Mediterranean.
Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency arrests key suspect in 2025 Morocco boat tragedy that killed at least 15 Pakistanis, vows zero tolerance against human smuggling. https://t.co/jYRreEkrIQ
— Arab News Pakistan (@arabnewspk) March 29, 2026
The Challenge of Tracing the Missing
The IOM emphasized that tracing migration fatalities is an uphill battle due to “invisible shipwrecks” and the lack of official documentation in conflict zones. The report stressed that the recorded figures should be viewed as a baseline rather than a total count.
“The persistent loss of life highlights the urgent need to strengthen protection for people on the move and dismantle the smuggling networks that exploit desperation,” the IOM statement noted.
Global Comparisons: Top 5 Affected Nationalities (Asia-Pacific)
| Country of Origin | Number of Dead or Missing (2025) | Primary Routes |
| 1. Afghanistan | 1,540 | Iran-Turkey Land Routes |
| 2. Myanmar | 935 | Bay of Bengal/Andaman Sea |
| 3. Pakistan | 109 | Mediterranean/Iran Land Routes |
| 4. Bangladesh | 80 | Maritime & Mediterranean |
| 5. India | 15 | Central Mediterranean |
As irregular migration remains a high-risk endeavor, the IOM is calling for expanded safe and regular migration pathways to prevent further loss of life among vulnerable populations.
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