Pakistanis become top asylum seekers in UK

LONDON: Pakistanis have emerged as the largest group seeking asylum in the United Kingdom(UK) followed by Afghanistan. According to the UK Home Office, Pakistanis have emerged as the largest group seeking asylum in the country. In the year ending March 2025. A total of 11,048 Pakistani nationals applied for asylum out of an overall 109,343 applicants. The Home Office further reported that during the 2023–24 period, Pakistan ranked third among countries with the highest number of asylum seekers, indicating a significant rise in applications from Pakistani nationals over the past year. The Home Office also noted that 33% of all asylum seekers entered the UK by crossing the sea in small boats  a method that continues to be a significant route for irregular migration. According to the UK Home Office, Afghans ranked second, with 8,069 applications. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: "We have substantially increased immigration enforcement, taking strong action to return more foreign criminals and failed asylum seekers who have no right to be in the UK. "The work of Immigration Enforcement teams to substantially increase illegal working raids, returns and deportations is an important part of strengthening our border security. As part of the Immigration White Paper reforms, we will strengthen the rules so that more foreign national offenders can be returned."