Pakistan: No asylum

THE queue of those wanting to leave the country to escape persecution or for opportunities abroad is long. The aspirants are persistent even if their destinations change.

These days, Australia is a prime ideal to be chased. While Pakistanis may not be on top of the list of those seeking asylum in Australia in recent years, the government there has found it necessary to issue a stern reminder.

An advertisement appearing in newspapers last week tells those — whether man, woman or child — who get on an Australia-bound boat without visa to beware. It is a loud, clear message, entitled ‘no way’, designed to convey the resolve to not let in the ‘unwanted’.

Their struggles necessitated by a genuine desire for a better life, for which they cannot be faulted, the human side to the asylum seekers is eclipsed by rules and numbers.

According to the UN refugee agency, “there were 45.2 million forcibly displaced people worldwide at the end of 2012, the highest number since 1994. Of these, 28.8m were internally displaced persons, 15.4m were refugees and 937,000 were asylum seekers”. This puts extra pressure on governments of destinations preferred by asylum seekers.

Meanwhile, the number of countries putting up a ‘no entry’ board for Pakistanis has increased. For example, in recent times, Sri Lanka has had problems with Pakistanis looking for asylum.

Those who put up the bar routinely come under criticism, which has not prevented them from setting tougher conditions for entry — for Pakistanis and others.

The logic is simple: the flow of refugees has to be contained and the traffic has to be closely monitored, even when the UN rules for refugees and other international law are adhered to. In the latest instance, the Australian emphasis is on unlawful entry, and on those who approach the country by the sea.

The focus may expand if the pressure from refugees mounts. There are many legal ways that remain open to asylum seekers, whatever destination they may have in mind.

The declaration by the Australian government is not the first attempt to make people aware. Since containing people is a hard act to defend and throws up its own stories of human suffering and ambition, it will always be argued against. In the end, however, the law has to take its course.

Pakistan can avert a few tragedies by undertaking to educate the people about the law before they take the deep, long and often hazardous plunge.