Seasonal migration patterns in Pakistan

Pakistan has been ranked among the top ten countries most vulnerable to climate change. Countries like Pakistan with low climate resilience, poor governance and weak infrastructure face multiple challenges in adapting to climate change. According to the Global Climate Risk Index, between 1999 to 2018, Pakistan witnessed 152 extreme weather events with the loss of 9,989 lives. Blistering heat waves, torrential rains, lingering dry spells, and water shortages have further exacerbated the governance challenges in Pakistan. However, another significant climate impact that has been overlooked and understudied, especially in Pakistan, is climate-induced migration. The last decade has seen a growth in climate migrants, moving towards urban cities due to weather calamities. Approximately 2 million people in Pakistan are expected to become climate migrants by 2050 due to climate disasters. Another report by Action Aid suggests that even with emission reduction, 600,000 people will get displaced due to climate events by 2030. Approximately 2 million people in Pakistan are expected to become climate migrants by 2050 due to climate disasters. It is important to note that climate-induced migration is not a gender-neutral phenomenon. It affects women, men and children differently. Women and children are the most vulnerable groups to climate migration. Research indicates that women migrants get deprived of education and face serious health issues due to malnourishment, increased workload, and other economic challenges. Also, women face sexual assault and harassment in both cases, i.e., when only their male family members migrate or when the entire family migrates. Likewise, the children are compelled to enter the labour force to share the family burden. Poor transportation makes families’ migration difficult and time-consuming, affecting their health. Inadequate health facilities at the migration camps and the unavailability of medicines to deal with the most prevalent diseases among climate migrants, such as diarrhea, respiratory infections, skin diseases and eye infections, results in casualties. These issues are relevant to the three types of climate migration witnessed in Pakistan over the last decade. The types of climate migration include:

1. Permanent Migration: Women migrate with their entire family to some other location for permanent residence
2. Temporary Migration: Families migrate to another location for some period and then return to their original place of residency. During flash and riverine flooding between 2010 and 2014, many families migrated to other sites until their actual residential areas were rebuilt and restructured.
3. Seasonal Migration: Seasonal migration is the periodic movement of a population from one location to another according to their changing weather condition. It is most prevalent in Pakistan. Residents from Skardu, Chitral, and Gilgit move to urban cities or areas with viable economic opportunities during extreme weather conditions. The same is the case in Sindh and Balochistan, where the residents of villages migrate to Karachi or other cities for employment and food.
4. Seasonal migration, also known as circular migration, is a common pattern in Pakistan. It involves the movement of people from their place of origin to other areas, usually for a specific period, and then returning to their home region. Seasonal migration in Pakistan occurs primarily due to economic reasons and agricultural activities. Here are some key aspects of seasonal migration in the country:
5.  Agricultural Activities: Agriculture is a significant sector in Pakistan, employing a large portion of the population. Seasonal migration is prevalent among agricultural workers who move to different regions based on the cropping cycles and labor demands. For example, during the sowing and harvesting seasons, there may be a movement of laborers from rural areas to work on farms in other regions.
6. Economic Opportunities: Seasonal migration is driven by the search for better economic opportunities. In some cases, people from rural areas may move to urban centers for seasonal jobs in construction, manufacturing, or services sectors, especially during peak demand periods.
7. Brick Kiln Industry: The brick kiln industry in Pakistan is a significant source of seasonal migration. Many families from rural areas temporarily relocate to work in brick kilns during the brick-making season. Unfortunately, this form of migration is often associated with bonded labor and poor working conditions.
8. Livestock Movement: In certain regions of Pakistan, especially in mountainous areas, nomadic pastoralism is practiced. Herders and their livestock migrate seasonally in search of better grazing lands and climate conditions.
9. Climate and Environmental Factors: In some cases, seasonal migration may be influenced by climatic conditions, such as extreme heat or cold, which can impact agricultural activities or access to resources.
10. Kinship and Social Networks: Kinship and social networks play a crucial role in facilitating seasonal migration. People often move to areas where they have family or community connections, making it easier to find temporary work and accommodation.
11. Gender Dimension: Seasonal migration in Pakistan often involves the movement of male workers, leaving behind their families in the places of origin. This dynamic can have social and economic implications for both the migrants and their families left behind.
12. Informal Nature: Seasonal migration in Pakistan is often informal, with limited legal protection and social security for migrants. This can expose migrants to exploitation and vulnerable conditions.
13.  Regional Variations: Seasonal migration patterns vary across different regions of Pakistan, depending on local economic activities and climatic conditions. For example, areas with significant agricultural activities may experience more pronounced seasonal migration.
14. Policy and Governance: There is a need for improved policies and governance to address the challenges and issues related to seasonal migration. Ensuring the rights and welfare of seasonal migrants, especially in sectors like brick kilns, remains a crucial concern.

In conclusion, seasonal migration in Pakistan is a common phenomenon driven by economic opportunities, agricultural activities, and other factors. It plays a crucial role in supporting various sectors of the economy but also presents challenges related to labor rights and social well-being, which require attention and effective policy measures.