Migration Research Cell, University of Peshawar

The Ideation and Validation Workshop for the assignment Evidence for Mobility (E4M): Collaboration with Public Institutions to Strengthen a Pakistan-EU Hub for Research and Policy Dialogue, was held on 20 February 2026 in the Migration Research Cell (MRC) at the Department of Political Science, University of Peshawar. This assignment is implemented by MRC with the technical support of GIZ under the Centre for Migration and Development (ZME). This project is part of the Multi-Donor Action Supporting a Talent Partnership with Pakistan (TP-P), co-financed by the EU and BMZ.

The main purpose of the workshop was to review and validate research priorities under the E4M initiative and identify key evidence gaps related to regular and ethical labour migration from Pakistan to European Union Member States. The workshop brought together stakeholders from different government institutions, academia, civil society, and development partners. Through discussions, participants shared practical, policy-relevant ideas aligned with the EU Talent Partnership priorities.

📣 Exciting news!

The Migration Research Cell (MRC) at the Department of Political Science, University of Peshawar, is thrilled to announce the launch of a major new initiative: Evidence for Mobility (E4M): Collaboration with Public Institutions to Strengthen a Pakistan-EU Hub for Research and Policy Dialogue. Supported by GIZ under the ZME global programme, this project is part of the Multi-Donor Action Supporting a Talent Partnership with Pakistan (TP-P), co-financed by the EU and BMZ.

💡 This assignment will transform MRC into a dedicated research hub for regular labour migration between Pakistan and the EU.

📋 Key Aspects of the Assignment include:
1. Field-based and desk-based research to generate evidence related to challenges and opportunities of regular skilled labour migration pathways from Pakistan to EU member States.
2. Policy roundtables and stakeholders’ meetings to generate dialogue on migration policies and provide evidence-based policy input.
3. Publications and dissemination activities to share research conducted under the assignment with policymakers, practitioners and academics.
4. Create a digital data repository on trends in skilled labour migration from Pakistan to the EU.
5. Build institutional partnerships between MRC and other migration institutions for sustainability.
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📚 We believe that evidence-driven policy is the key to transforming Pakistan's migration landscape to the benefit of migrants, the Pakistani state, and EU member states. MRC will lead the initiative to provide policy input and to create knowledge through scholarly inquiry into labour migration from Pakistan.

📣 Stay tuned for our upcoming events and publications!

https://epaper.dawn.com/DetailNews.php?StoryText=21_05_2025_183_005

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The Migration Research Cell, Department of Political Science, is hosting a seminar on "Echoes of War: Exploring Post-Traumatic Stress and Migration" featuring Naseer Ahmad, author of Pashto novels. The event will take place on May 16th at 10:00 AM at the Iqbal Tajik Dialogue Forum. Join us for an insightful discussion!

Exploring Labor Mobility: Navigating Restrictions and Opportunities

Join us for an insightful discussion on "Pakistani Migrant Workers Circumventing Saudi Restrictive Border Regimes through Umra" with esteemed speaker Dr. Ismail Khan from the University of Edinburgh, UK.

📆 May 13, 2025
🕰️ 2:00 pm
📍 Iqbal Tajik Open Dialogue Forum, Department of Political Science, UoP.

On 28th April 2025, The Migration Research Cell, University of Peshawar, in collaboration with Debate Society, Department of Political Science organized a one-day seminar on “Repatriation and Reintegration Challenges In Protracted Displacements”. Debate society president, Abdullah, welcomed the speakers and participants. The speakers of the session were Prof. Shahida Aman, Chairperson of the Department of Political Science and Dr. Ayub Jan, Head of Migration Research Cell. The session was attended by Pakistani and Afghan scholars and students from different departments of Peshawar University and Islamia College Peshawar. Dr. Ayub Jan commenced the session by providing a comprehensive overview of Repatriation, its various types, and its diverse perspectives. He was joined in the talks by Prof. Shahida Aman who further explained the phenomena with a focus on Afghan refugees. She disseminated various factual findings from the research projects PDE to the students regarding the Afghan refugees.
The discussion was followed by question answer session. The student asked different questions and presented their views on the recent repatriation of Afghan Refugees in Pakistan. The students presented different views some supported the recent repatriation policy of Pakistan while some criticized it. Both speakers Prof. Shahida Aman and Dr. Ayub Jan answered the questions. Vice President, Abeera Nizar expresses gratitude to all participants with a vote of thanks. At the end of the session Certificates and shields were distributed among the participants and winner of the Parliamentary Debate.

Migration Research Cell, University of Peshawar.
Parliamentary Debate Competition
This House Opposes Afghan Repatriation Plan.

On 25th April 2025, The Migration Research Cell, University of Peshawar, in collaboration with Debate Society, Department of Political Science organized a Parliamentary Debate. Students from the Department of Political Science and other departments of Peshawar university participated in the debate. The motion for the session was: “This House Opposes Afghan Repatriation Plan”.
The session was hosted by Alisha and Malaika. Dr. Ayub Jan (Head of Migration Research Cell) presented the opening remarks, Abdullah Bin Khalid (President Debate Society) discussed the debate structure and judgement criteria, and Mr. Waseem Murad (visiting lecturer) adjudicated the session. Eight teams from different departments participated in the debate. Four of them made it to the final round where closing opposition, Shezal Misbah and Noorah Durrani won.

Join us for a timely seminar on "Repatriation Dilemma: Humanitarian Crises, Governance Imperatives, and Donor Fatigue" on April 28, 2025, at 2:00 PM. Esteemed speakers Prof. Shahida Aman and Dr. Ayub Jan will discuss the complexities of repatriation, shedding light on humanitarian crises, governance challenges, and donor fatigue.

Jointly organized by the Migration Research Cell in collaboration with debating society Department of Political Science at Iqbal Tajik Dialogue Forum.

The Migration Research Cell (MRC) and the Afghan Research Cell at the Department of Political Science jointly organised a seminar on the “Recent Migration Problem” featuring Professor Rober Nichols (affiliated with Stockton University and UPENN, USA) on 13 March 2025 at the Iqbal Tajik Open Dialogue Forum Hall.
The department chairperson, Professor Shahida Aman, warmly welcomed him along with her faculty colleagues: Dr Ayub Jan, Dr Noreen Naseer, Dr Abida Bano, Dr Muhammad Zubair, Dr Aamer Raza, and Dr Dervaish Khan. Professor Nichols presented his extensive research on Pashtun migration into and out of the region and engaged in fruitful discussions regarding migration issues with faculty and students. He recounted his experiences researching the Pak-Afghan borderlands and the Middle East, offering invaluable insights to the M.Phil. and PhD students. He commended the research conducted by faculty members on the challenges of Afghan migration, internal Pashtun migration, and other regional matters.

We are looking for enthusiastic students to build a team of researchers at MRC. Apply Now if you are interested.
Spread the word please.