The Sustainable Social Development Organisation (SSDO) has established a helpline, "0333-1110566," which will serve as the main point of contact for victims of human trafficking and will offer free legal assistance.
This helpline was initiated by the SSDO in association with the Barrister Abdus Saleem Law Firm. It supports the fight against the issue at the national level and serves as a resource for information for all parties involved, including the general public.
This helpline will provide a platform to the potential victims especially the communities with a high ratio of trafficking in person that contains both human trafficking for sex and bonded labour, i.e., brick kiln and agricultural community in Pakistan.
The victims and their relatives can lodge their complaints which will be further taken up by a team of expert lawyers who will provide free legal aid and assistance to the victims. The helpline can be accessed freely from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm on working days.
Pakistan is a country that faces the challenges of human trafficking as a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to trafficking in persons (TIP), specifically forced labour and prostitution. SSDO is running a project on trafficking in person to raise awareness among the masses regarding the heinous crime and to bring the government, media, academia, and all other stakeholders on one platform to work together to raise the issue and curb it.
The legal framework to curb the TIP in Pakistan includes PTPA 2018, PSMA 2018, Emigration Ordinance (EO 1979), Federal Investigation Agency Act (FIAA) 1974, Passport Act (PA) 1974, and Foreigners Act (FA)1946. However, there is no proper record keeping against the registration of cases of trafficking under these laws.
On the launch of the helpline, Syed Kausar Abbas, Executive Director, SSDO said “A helpline is a way to ensure that victims of human trafficking and bonded labour are properly identified and referred to relevant institutions for assistance and protection.”
Shizza Qureshi Advocate, Director Barrister Abdus Saleem Law Firm expressed her pleasure in joining hands with SSDO for the cause. “It is an honour and privilege to be part of this initiative. Human trafficking is a heinous crime and our firm is ready to help the poor and needy victims,” she said.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 16th, 2022.
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