Dark happenings in the country

Human trafficking remains a major topic in Pakistan. Recent investigations by the Federal Investigation Agency state that hundreds of people continue to be trafficked to Europe and the Middle East via Iran, with nearly eight per cent of them being women and children. The most vulnerable groups have been identified as children between 10 and 14 years of age and women in their 30s and 40s belonging to Punjab and Balochistan. These people are usually used for low-skilled employment and sex trafficking.

Pakistan has been identified as amongst the main problem countries for human smuggling. The largest number of people trafficked comes from Southeast Asia, while India and Pakistan are among the most known departure destinations. But according to a report published by the US Department of State on human trafficking, the Government of Pakistan does not meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. Besides human trafficking there is also the issue of voluntary departures to what can be best described as labour camps of the Middle East. There are agencies working in Pakistan who exploit the most socially and economically vulnerable groups and lure them into false job offers in the hope of a better tomorrow. There are barely any checks on such agencies. In fact, there is much reason to believe that there is political complicity, which is why “agents” who offer such jobs remain undetected.

The government must care about its citizens and launch awareness campaigns to alert people about the menace of human smuggling and reduce stigma attached to women and children trafficked. The society must be taught to treat them with empathy and not judgement and efforts need to be made to reduce hindrances in seeking legal help. Victims must also be provided the necessary rehabilitation, shelter and employment opportunities, and human trafficking should be better investigated and penalised.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 12^th, 2016.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.