Migration in the 21st century has assumed an increasingly complex shape, shaped by global sociopolitical instability and economic inequalities. As noted by Golban (2019), migration today reflects a turbulent world order, where crises are widespread rather than localised. Globalisation and market economies have significantly accelerated migration trends; however, they have also produced a striking paradox.
Capital, technology, goods, and services move across borders with remarkable ease, yet when a poor human being attempts the same movement, he is restricted, criminalised, and often penalised. This contradiction recalls the critique of Karl Marx, who argued for the equitable distribution of resources regardless of class, race, or gender. Contemporary migration exposes how far the world remains from that ideal. A similar condition is vividly portrayed by Mohsin Hamid in his novel Exit West, where migration is depicted as both a necessity and a struggle. Hamid illustrates how some borders appear to open magically and effortlessly for certain individuals, while others remain rigidly guarded, reflecting deep global inequalities.
The rise of digital economies has created “digital nomads”, individuals who can work remotely from anywhere in the world.
He also pointed out that some borders or the magical doors open so easily, but the others were heavily guarded. From a postcolonial perspective, theorists such as Homi K. Bhabha and Edward Said argue that migration continues the legacy of colonial power structures. Migrants often find themselves reduced to what philosophers call “bare life,” existing on the margins of political and social systems. While some achieve success, many remain symbolic representatives of the “Third World” within host societies. The hierarchical divide between powerful and marginalised populations thus persists, echoing colonial patterns. Migration, in this sense, produces the “Other,” reinforcing distinctions between “us” and “them.”
Historically, migration has always been part of human existence. Natural disasters, such as droughts, floods, and earthquakes, have long forced people to relocate. Wars and conflicts have further intensified displacement, compelling individuals to flee for survival. In the contemporary era, geopolitical tensions continue to drive migration. At the same time, more aspirational motives, such as higher education, better living standards, technological advancement, and global exposure, also shape migration decisions. In Pakistan, migration has increasingly come to be seen as a necessity rather than a choice. Many young people, and even adults, are encouraged to seek opportunities abroad due to limited economic prospects at home. However, global conditions are changing. Countries such as the United States and Canada are tightening immigration policies, reducing intake, and enforcing stricter controls.
Deportations and exclusions have become more frequent. Similarly, instability in the Middle East, traditionally a major destination for Pakistani migrants, has reduced its viability as a migration option. Europe remains one of the few accessible destinations, though it too is becoming increasingly regulated. This raises a fundamental question: should people continue to migrate, or should they invest in building their own societies? The answer lies not in restricting migration, but in addressing its root causes. Governments must prioritise education, technological development, and job creation to provide viable opportunities within their own borders. At the same time, the global community must confront the primary drivers of forced migration, wars, conflicts, and environmental crises.
Climate change, in particular, is emerging as a major catalyst for future migration. If environmental degradation continues at its current pace, millions will be forced to relocate in search of clean air, safe water, and livable conditions. As Hamid suggests metaphorically, humanity itself may become perpetually “on the move.”
Alongside, humanity also needs to say goodbye to wars and conflicts because these days, this factor is the major issue causing migration. The conflicts may be resolved at the table if any, and in no way will death, bloodshed, and killing take place because of the war. Sufficient are the environmental crisis causing migration to which humanity needs to pay 100% attention because if the environmental crisis keep on with the same speed and vigor as today, soon there would be a huge number of environmental migrants seeking places for cleaner air, drinkable water, and toxic free environments. It is high time that humanity moves its wisdom and intelligence towards this direction, otherwise the sentence of Mohsin Hamid in his novel Exit West would prove right that all humanity is on the move.
At the same time, new forms of mobility are emerging. The rise of digital economies has created “digital nomads”, individuals who can work remotely from anywhere in the world. This challenges traditional notions of migration, suggesting that movement is no longer purely physical but also virtual. Ultimately, migration is not inherently problematic. It becomes a crisis only when it is mismanaged, unequal, and unjust. A humane and equitable system must ensure that no individual is deprived of rights, dignity, or opportunity. Migration, if governed ethically, can serve as a bridge between societies rather than a barrier dividing them. Meaning thereby migration itself is not bad if it is regulated in a way that nobody loses rights and facilities, and is able to make their way through the complexities created by the modern 21st-century world.
The writer is a professor of English at Government Emerson University, Multan. He can be reached at zeadogar@ hotmail.com and Tweets @Profzee