The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Libya has supported a voluntary humanitarian return flight for Pakistani nationals, facilitating their departure from Tripoli to Islamabad as part of ongoing efforts to ensure safe and dignified migration management.
According to an IOM statement, the operation was carried out under the organisation’s Voluntary Humanitarian Return (VHR) programme, which assists migrants who choose to return to their countries of origin after facing difficult conditions in transit or destination countries. The flight was organised with financial and logistical support from the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
IOM said the initiative reflects its continued commitment to protecting migrants’ rights and offering sustainable solutions to those stranded in Libya. Many migrants in the country face significant challenges, including limited access to services, insecurity and economic hardship, prompting some to opt for voluntary return as a safer alternative.
The organisation explained that all returnees received pre-departure assistance, including health checks, travel documentation support and counselling, in line with international humanitarian standards. Upon arrival in Pakistan, migrants are expected to receive reintegration assistance aimed at helping them rebuild their lives and livelihoods.
Libya remains a major transit point for migrants from Africa and Asia seeking to reach Europe via the Central Mediterranean route. International agencies, including IOM and the UN, have repeatedly highlighted the risks associated with irregular migration from Libya, calling for increased support for protection, voluntary return and reintegration programmes.
The UK’s support for the operation forms part of broader international cooperation with IOM to manage migration flows, reduce loss of life and promote humane responses to mixed migration movements. British officials have previously stressed the importance of voluntary returns as a key pillar of migration governance.
IOM Libya reaffirmed that voluntary humanitarian return remains strictly non-coercive and is carried out only at the request of migrants themselves. The organisation added that it will continue working with Libyan authorities and international partners to expand access to safe, voluntary return options for migrants of different nationalities across Libya.
