He claims agents are misleading asylum seekers with promises of UK settlement and expresses concern over the rise in Pakistani asylum applications.
Jane Marriott, British High Commissioner to Pakistan. Photo: Facebook/UK Pakistan
British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott on Saturday warned against agents deceiving asylum seekers with false assurances of settlement in the UK and financial gains, stressing that genuine applicants should submit their applications only through official online systems.
Speaking to a local media outlet, Jane highlighted the tactics used by illegal agents who mislead people with false promises of migration to the UK.
She explained that these agents often exploited vulnerable individuals by offering them misleading assurances of asylum and settlement opportunities in exchange for money.
Also read: Pakistanis top list of asylum seekers in UK in 2024
She further expressed concern over the growing number of Pakistani nationals seeking political asylum in the UK, noting that nationals are currently among the top nationalities in such applications.
Jane regretted that many of these cases were linked to misinformation and exploitation by unauthorized intermediaries rather than genuine electability.
The High Commissioner stressed that genuine applicants should rely only on official and legal online systems for visa and asylum procedures, rather than trusting agents who operate outside the law.
She warned that such fraudulent practices not only lead to financial losses, but can also seriously harm applicants’ chances of traveling legally in the future.
Learn more: UK strengthens its asylum system
Jane also highlighted the importance of awareness raising, stating that efforts are being strengthened to educate the public on safe and legal migration routes and to discourage the use of illegal facilitators.
Replying to a question, she further said that the UK has been offering fully funded scholarship programs for a long time.
She noted that genuine Pakistani candidates apply through official channels, pursue higher education in the UK, and then return to Pakistan, where they contribute to national development and take up various professional positions.
Jane further added that the UK maintained strict laws and regulations against individuals involved in facilitating illegal migration and exploiting vulnerable people through fraudulent promises and stressed that such activities were strictly punished by law.
