Between October 2022 and October 2023, Pakistanis submitted approximately 28,000 applications for international protection in European Union Plus countries, according to a report released by the EU’s Agency for Asylum (EUAA) on Wednesday.

The report indicated a downward trend in monthly applications, with a peak of around 3,400 applications in October 2022, dropping to 1,900 in October 2023. Italy emerged as the primary destination for Pakistani asylum seekers, followed by France, Greece, and Germany.

The “Country Focus on Pakistan Report” revealed that EU Plus countries issued nearly 20,000 initial decisions on Pakistani applications, with only 12 percent resulting in granted refugee status or subsidiary protection. As of the end of October, approximately 34,000 decisions remain pending.

The report also highlighted the political and security landscape in Pakistan, detailing the roles of various actors, the judiciary, and the treatment of specific population groups, including Afghan refugees.

Pakistan has been identified as one of the countries with the highest vulnerabilities to modern slavery in the region, with an estimated 2.4 million people affected by forced labor or forced marriage. The country is situated along a major trafficking route, including the trade of human organs.

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Despite having laws aimed at combating human trafficking, the report noted that Pakistan’s fragile democracy and lack of accountability have hindered effective enforcement.