ISLAMABAD: In a heartbreaking incident underscoring the fatal dangers of illegal migration, two young men from Pakistan froze to death near the Iran-Turkey border while attempting to reach Europe.
The victims have been identified as 25-year-olds Ehtisham and Armanullah, both hailing from Nowshera in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. They are believed to have been abandoned by human smugglers amidst severe winter conditions.
The tragedy came to light after Pakistan’s Embassy in Iran was alerted via social media. In a statement posted on X, the Pakistani Ambassador confirmed the recovery of Armanullah’s body in the city of Khoi, near the mountainous border region. “It seems that his death was due to severe cold and snowfall,” the ambassador stated. “We suspect that the deceased fell victim to the lust of human smugglers.”
بسم اللہ الرحمن الرحیم
جناب ولی اللہ معروف صاحب!
جونہی سفارت پاکستان کو آپ کی فیس بک سے پوسٹ موصول ہوئی ہم نے مرحوم ارمان اللہ کے متعلق تفصیلات اکٹھی کیں۔ مرحوم کا انتقال ایران ترکی بارڈر کے قریب کھوئی کے مقام پر ہوا ہے۔ ان کی میت اس وقت مقامی ہسپتال میں محفوظ ہے۔ بظاہر لگتا…— Ambassador Mudassir (@AmbMudassir) December 21, 2025
According to the embassy, the young men were lured by smugglers who promised them safe passage to Europe. Instead, they were reportedly left stranded in a remote, snowbound area where they succumbed to the extreme weather.
The Pakistani Embassy has made contact with the families of the deceased and is coordinating with local authorities to repatriate the bodies to Pakistan as soon as possible.
“We express our deep sorrow and pain on the death of the deceased and once again request that our innocent Pakistani [citizens] avoid these deceitful and heinous crimes,” the ambassador’s statement implored.
This incident is the latest in a series of similar tragedies, where desperate migrants, seeking better lives in Europe, fall prey to ruthless smuggling networks and perish on perilous irregular routes.
Meanwhile Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi.
According to the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two sides reviewed bilateral cooperation in various fields and held detailed discussions on the regional situation.
During the call, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation in promoting trade, connectivity, and people-to-people contacts.
The foreign ministers of Pakistan and Iran also agreed to continue close collaboration for regional peace and development.
