Causes and Social Implication of Migration to the Middle East (A Case Study of Village Zarobi/Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)

Abstract

Migration is the act of leaving one's native country or region to settle in another. There are many reasons why people might choose to emigrate. Many political or economic emigrants move together with their families toward new regions or new countries where they hope to find peace or job opportunities not available to them in their original location. Throughout history a large number of emigrants return to their homelands, often after they have earned sufficient money in the other country. Sometimes these emigrants move to countries with big cultural differences and will always feel as guests in their destinations, and preserve their original culture, traditions and language, sometimes transmitting them to their children. 26,604 engineers and 7,930 doctors had so far migrated to foreign countries. An estimated 52% migrant workers are from Punjab, 25% from the NWFP, 9.4% from Sindh, 6.5% from the Balochistan province, 5.4% from FATA and 1% from Azad Kashmir. Pakistan has a large pool of skilled manpower. It is cost-wise cheaper, considerably efficient and reliable, and can easily adapt to different cultures and conditions across the globe. A low level of domestic income for individuals results in lack of access to education, health care and other communal facilities like lack of sanitation, transportation and communication. The most consistent reason for migration has been poverty, lack of economic prospects and disparities in income levels. The Global Commission on International Migration has been discussing poverty as one of the main causes of migration. We believe migration provides an effective tool for addressing poverty. The current study focuses on the causes and social implications of migration of the people who migrated to Middle East for earning. The universe of the study is Zarobi/Swabi Village situated in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from where the youth are rapidly migrating to the Middle East and Europe. The study is quantitative in nature; 86 respondents were interviewed through an Interview Schedule. Purposive Quota Sampling Technique was applied. The Accidental Sampling method was further applied while visiting houses. The first available emigrant was interviewed. The data is analyzed through SPSS and simple statistical tables. The study found that poverty, injustice and lack of job opportunities are the root causes of youth migration. The study recommends youth is the future of our nation and the government should accord priority to their welfare; should increase employment opportunities; establish political and security stability; offer a better standard of life.