ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s anti-human trafficking partners have organized a “Leave No Child Behind in the Fight Against Human Trafficking” event in Islamabad to raise awareness and mark World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on Tuesday.
Stakeholders from international organizations and the Government of Pakistan reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing collaboration and intensifying efforts to combat human trafficking, with a focus on protecting children and upholding the rights and dignity of the most vulnerable.
Organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO), in collaboration with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the commemoration aimed to raise awareness about human trafficking and advocate for the protection of victims’ rights.
Observed annually on July 30th, World Day Against Trafficking in Persons highlights the urgent need to combat child trafficking and labor issues. The global campaign for this year calls for accelerated action against the trafficking and exploitation of children.
Children constitute a significant portion of trafficking victims, with girls particularly affected. Rising inequalities and globalization have given rise to complex trafficking networks, challenging existing legal frameworks and creating new forms of modern slavery. Online platforms further exacerbate the situation by exposing children to sexual exploitation and gender-based violence, allowing traffickers to exploit victims across borders.
The event aimed to spotlight the prevalence and impact of child trafficking and labor in Pakistan while showcasing the collaborative efforts and commitments of various organizations in the fight against human trafficking. It also recognized the contributions of national partners and stakeholders in this critical battle. Presentations, expert opinions, and discussions provided a platform for sharing knowledge, strategies, and best practices.
In his opening remarks, Abbas Ahsan, Additional Director General of FIA, emphasized the need for a comprehensive understanding of trafficking, its prevalence in Pakistan, and its impact, particularly on children.
Representatives from UNODC, ICMPD, ILO, IOM, SSDO, and FIA underscored the critical importance of protecting children and stressed that targeted measures are essential to reducing their vulnerability to trafficking.
Dr. Jeremy Milsom, UNODC Country Representative for Pakistan, invited Shahida Gillani, Programme Officer for Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling, to present the message from UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly.
Gillani highlighted that child victims of trafficking have tripled over the past 15 years, with children representing one-third of trafficking victims globally. She pointed out the severe abuses faced by these children, including forced labor, child marriages, recruitment as soldiers, and coerced criminal activities.
Geir Tonstol, ILO Country Director for Pakistan, stressed the urgency of combating human trafficking, especially affecting vulnerable children. He noted that with 3.3 million children trafficked worldwide, state systems must adopt integrated approaches to prioritize child protection. Tonstol emphasized the need for expanded partnerships and collaboration to support Pakistan’s progress toward a fairer society.
Vincent Matteau, Senior Programme Coordinator at IOM, highlighted the need for stronger partnerships and improved migration management to combat child trafficking. He emphasized IOM’s commitment to expanding safe and legal migration channels while addressing trafficking and smuggling through a comprehensive approach that includes improving legal frameworks and victim support mechanisms.
Syed Kausar Abbas, Executive Director of SSDO, called for a systematic approach to victim identification and referral, particularly for vulnerable groups, and stressed the importance of increasing prosecutions under the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act (PTPA), enhancing labor inspections for children and bonded labor, and boosting public awareness and data-driven strategies.
Fawad Haider, Head of Office at ICMPD, underscored the need for collaborative frameworks to protect children from exploitation. He emphasized ICMPD’s commitment to cross-border and multi-agency collaboration to combat trafficking and ensure victim protection.
Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq, Chairperson of the National Commission on Rights of Child (NCRC), highlighted the importance of confronting child trafficking, one of the gravest human rights violations. She reaffirmed the commitment to combating trafficking and protecting children’s safety and dignity.
Director General FIA Ahmad Ishaque Jahangir (PSP) emphasized that human trafficking, especially child trafficking, is a serious human rights violation that demands relentless attention and action. He commended the collaborative efforts of all partners, underscoring that this joint event demonstrates a unified response and shared commitment to eradicating human trafficking.
UNODC, ICMPD, ILO, IOM, SSDO, and FIA reaffirm their collective dedication to eradicating human trafficking in Pakistan and ensuring a future where every child is safe and free from exploitation.
