Human trafficking situation termed grave

Special Parliamentary Committee on Anti-Human Trafficking and Human Smuggling convener Uzma Kardar has emphasised the gravity of the situation highlighted by the loss of hundreds of Pakistani lives in recent tragedies involving irregular cross-border smuggling to Greece and Spain.

Chairing a meeting, she highlighted that internal trafficking, which exploits individuals through bonded labor and forced commercial sex work, remains a significant problem that tarnishes Pakistan's international reputation.

She said that the Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz has introduced several programs for youth and women in Punjab to create local opportunities through empowerment of young people.

"The government of Pakistan is committed to tackling trafficking in persons (TIP) and smuggling of migrants (SOM)," she said.