Human trade

Pakistan sits on 'Tier 2' of the 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report by the US State Department. Human trafficking is modern-day slavery. It preys on shattered, impoverished lives to make a profit. Although significant laws were enacted in 2018, including the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act and the Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants Act, there remains much work to be done to safeguard the rights of victims of human trafficking and smuggling. The laws are a step in the right direction, but their implementation and enforcement reveal glaring gaps that leave countless victims vulnerable. Human trafficking in Pakistan manifests in various forms, including forced labour, sexual exploitation and child trafficking. Vulnerable populations, particularly women and children from marginalised communities, are disproportionately affected. Traffickers exploit these individuals' desperation and lack of resources, subjecting them to severe abuse and exploitation.

Human trafficking is a transnational issue, involving millions of people. It is alarming that this sinister trade has expanded significantly amid soaring inflation and rising unemployment in Pakistan. This troubling environment has been further exacerbated by widespread apathy, corruption and a lack of institutional oversight. It took tragic events, including one that cost 300 Pakistani lives off Greek shores, for authorities to take some action against human traffickers in the country. However, complexities arise from a police force that is often ignorant and insensitive, which may include individuals complicit in the trade. This results in vulnerable groups such as women, children, illiterate men and refugees - being dismissed as mere abductions or having their complaints ignored. Authorities must not view victims as criminals. Instead, priority should be given to equipping law enforcement with the necessary knowledge, technology and financial resources to identify and punish offenders. Additionally, security services must have clear strategies for addressing the elite individuals at the top of the trafficking network.