ISLAMABAD: Twenty-five Pakistani nationals have been deported after attempting to illegally enter Poland through routes it shares with Belarus, highlighting growing concerns over organised migration networks operating along Poland’s eastern border with Belarus.
Authorities confirmed the deportations were carried out under legal administrative procedures after the individuals were found in violation of immigration laws. The group was returned by air as part of Poland’s ongoing efforts to secure its borders amid what European officials describe as a coordinated surge in irregular migration facilitated through Belarus, with alleged logistical backing linked to Russian influence in the region.
European officials have repeatedly accused Belarus of enabling migrant flows towards EU borders as part of broader geopolitical pressure tactics. Poland, positioned at the frontline of this challenge, has significantly reinforced border security through fencing, surveillance systems, and rapid response mechanisms.
Accounts from deported Pakistanis reflect the complex and risky nature of these routes. Several said they travelled through Russia before entering Belarus, where they were directed towards Poland’s eastern border with Belarus by facilitators. Others reported entering Belarus directly, describing how agents organised movement through forests and remote terrain under the false promise of easy entry into the European Union.
Many deportees said they paid between Rs4.5 million and Rs50 million to human smugglers, often through loans or by selling family assets. They described being misled about the realities of the journey, facing harsh conditions and eventual abandonment once intercepted by authorities.
European officials have consistently warned that such routes are driven by organised smuggling networks operating from the Belarusian side, raising concerns about structured facilitation mechanisms behind these crossings.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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