Tackling human trafficking

Pakistan must take a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach to combat the scourge of human trafficking. This approach should involve a range of strategies that address prevention, protection and prosecution. Prevention efforts should be intensified to raise awareness about the dangers of trafficking and educate vulnerable populations on how to protect themselves. This can be done through aggressive public awareness campaigns that target high-risk communities, as well as community outreach programmes that provide education and support to the most vulnerable. School-based education initiatives should also be implemented to educate young people about the risks of trafficking and how to stay safe. Protection measures should be put in place to support victims of trafficking, including access to medical care, legal assistance and safe housing. The government must also ensure that trafficking victims are not criminalised or punished.

It is worth noting that we already have some relatively strong laws on the books, including the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act and the Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants Act, so the legal framework already exists. However, enforcement has been weak, as illustrated by the high number of migrant disasters involving Pakistanis and Afghans who flee through Pakistan. Prosecution efforts should be intensified to target traffickers and their facilitators. This can be done through increased law enforcement efforts, including the establishment of specialised anti-trafficking units and the training of law enforcers on how to identify and investigate trafficking cases. The government should also work to strengthen its legal framework to ensure that traffickers are held accountable for their crimes and that victims have access to justice. More funds are also needed for victim support, such as counseling and rehabilitation.

The final solution, however, is to bring about inclusive development and respect for human rights — people won’t risk life and limb for a better life abroad if they see potential in their homeland.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 6^th, 2023.

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