Says agents mislead asylum seekers with promises of UK deals and expresses concern over rise in asylum claims in Pakistan
British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott. Photo: Facebook/UK in Pakistan
British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott on Saturday warned against agents who mislead asylum seekers with false assurances of settlement and financial gain in the UK, and stressed that genuine applicants should submit their applications only through official online systems.
While speaking to a local media outlet, Jane highlighted the tactics used by illegal agents who deceive people with false promises of migration to the UK.
He explained that these agents often exploited vulnerable people by offering them misleading assurances of asylum and settlement opportunities in exchange for money.
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He further expressed concern about the increasing number of Pakistani citizens seeking political asylum in the United Kingdom, noting that nationals are currently among the leading nationalities in such applications.
Jane regretted that many of these cases were related to misinformation and exploitation by unauthorized intermediaries rather than genuine eligibility.
The high commissioner emphasized that genuine applicants should rely solely on official and legal online systems for visa and asylum-related processes, rather than relying on agents operating outside the law.
He warned that such fraudulent practices not only result in financial losses but can also seriously damage applicants’ chances of traveling legally in the future.
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Jane also emphasized the importance of awareness, stating that efforts are being strengthened to educate the public about safe and legal migration routes and to discourage reliance on illegal facilitators.
In response to a question, he further stated that the United Kingdom has been, for a considerable period, offering fully funded scholarship programmes.
He noted that genuine applicants from Pakistan apply through official channels, pursue higher education in the United Kingdom and subsequently return to Pakistan where they contribute to national development and perform various professional roles.
Jane further added that the UK maintained strict laws and regulations against those involved in facilitating illegal migration and exploiting vulnerable people through fraudulent promises and emphasized that such activities were firmly dealt with under the law.
