Pakistan has taken effective measures for controlling human trafficking: Interior minister

Establishment of check posts and intelligence-based operations resulted in the decline of cases, says minister

ISLAMABAD:

Federal Minister for Interior Brigadier (Retd) Ijaz Ahmed Shah has said that Pakistan has taken effective measures for controlling illegal human trafficking by establishing numerous new check posts of Frontier Corps and Coast Guards personnel and by conducting intelligence-based operations against those involved in the heinous crime, resulting in a continuous decline in the number of cases.

During the meeting, Shah said Pakistan is cognizant of the menace of illegal immigrants who also bring a bad name to the country. He said that the government is not only taking effective steps to control illegal human trafficking but also creating economic opportunities in the country to eliminate the root cause of the problem. 

The interior minister emphasised that illegal immigrant in most of the cases may be treated humanely since their sole objective remains better economic opportunities. He mentioned Prime Minister Imran Khan’s special initiative to boost the housing and construction sector in the country which is gaining momentum and creating job opportunities.

Bosnia's Minister for Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina Selmo Cikotic while expressing his gratitude to the warm welcome accorded to him by Pakistan, said that the signing of the agreement between the two countries on illegal immigration will further boost the existing brotherly relations between the two countries. He agreed with Pakistan’s federal minister that such illegal immigrants must be treated humanely since they left their countries mostly in search of better opportunities.

The Bosnian dignitary said both countries are bought together by circumstance and the Islamic bond. Both the Bosnian people and the government rank Pakistan at the highest place due to the principled stance it had always taken on a number of issues relating to Bosnia. He added that the Bosnian government is looking forward to learning from the experience of Pakistan in intelligence, policing and border management since it has successfully emerged out of challenges on internal and external fronts.

Federal Minister Shah assured his Bosnian counterpart of complete cooperation in this regard. He also appreciated the Bosnian government for Visa-Free Entry to Pakistani Diplomatic and Services Passports.

The Bosnian minister for security also invited Pakistan’s federal minister for an official visit to Sarajevo, which will be worked out by both sides after normalisation of the current situation due to the second wave of Covid-19.

Federal Minister for Interior Brigadier (Retd) Ijaz Ahmed Shah in a meeting with Minister for Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina Selmo Cikotic. PHOTO: EXPRESS

Earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Imran Khan and visiting Chairman of Presidency of Bosnia & Herzegovina Šefik Džaferović expressed resolve to extend trade cooperation while favouring a peaceful solution of Kashmir issue and standing united against the rampant Islamophobia.

Addressing a joint press conference after signing of two accords on scientific cooperation and readmission agreement, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that both the countries would continue meetings to improve trade and cooperation in every field.

The two leaders exchanged views on the entire gamut of bilateral relations and agreed to further deepen mutual cooperation in all fields, especially in the economic, trade and investment, science and technology, defence industry, educational and cultural arenas. It was also agreed to maintain frequent bilateral exchanges, including at the highest level.