The UN Office on Drugs and Crime have prepared a damning report that states that South Asian women are the most vulnerable to human trafficking. More than half of all the victims of trafficking detected in South Asia are exploited for forced labour.
While the report states that an 11% reduction in the number of victims was detected as compared to 2019, this can be attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic as reduced regulation and rescue operations. It could also be the case that travel bans and increased border control gave fewer opportunities for traffickers to carry out their business. However, with the pandemic ebbing, there is a severe threat that the illegal practice could ramp up even more to curtail the losses incurred during the pandemic. It must also be noted that most abductions related to trafficking were witnessed in low-income countries. Pakistan too has a known history of strong trafficking rackets that continue to operate across the country. In December of last year, a human trafficking racket was busted in Hyderabad where 18 organisers, responsible for trafficking more than 14,000 victims, were arrested. But conviction rates remain deplorably low and increased immunity becomes a huge hinderance to dismantling trafficking networks. The effects of climate change further encourage such practices as internal displacements make women and children more vulnerable.
In order for Pakistan to end this practice, a nation-wide response is necessary. Redressal mechanisms along with search and rescue teams working at the ground-level must be systematically formulated. A separate special unit must be established to hunt down traffickers and mafia leaders. On the flip side, amendments must be made in existing laws so that conviction rates increase. However, the biggest challenge remains corruption and bribery that allows for perpetrators to go scot-free.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 30th, 2023.
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