Awareness drive: ‘Human trafficking is a growing concern’

UNODC representative called for an awareness drive to educate masses about human trafficking.

LAHORE:

Special Assistant to Chief Minister Rana Maqbool on Thursday called for enforcement of laws on human trafficking.

Addressing the closing ceremony of a national public awareness campaign against human trafficking at a hotel here, he said harsher punishments should be awarded to those found guilty.

He said the government departments concerned should ensure proper investigations and follow up of cases.

Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Director General Saud Ahmad Mirza said human trafficking was a global problem.

He said cites like Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot and Gujrat were problem areas.

Ahmad said an integrated border management system would be introduced soon to control trafficking.

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) representative Cesar Guedes said all stakeholders had an important part to play in eliminating human trafficking and smuggling.

He said the country’s legal system should be strengthened. He called for an awareness drive to educate masses about human trafficking.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 28^th, 2013.