CRIME DIARY: South Asian countries not taking human trafficking seriously

Islamabad : It is widely believed that the South Asian countries are not taking the human trafficking as serious offence because of certain reasons. While, the South Asian countries has turned as core souk of transporting manpower to the developed counties by using proscribed modes to undertake their human trafficking chores.

Human smuggling remains a significant challenge in South Asia, an issue mainly exacerbated by global mafia and secondly by endemic poverty, high unemployment rates, and widespread illiteracy. Despite international mandates and the severe human rights violations associated with human trafficking, the region's efforts to combat this menace have been woefully inadequate. Several factors contribute to this futility, warranting a critical examination of the underlying issues and systemic failures. In the South Asian countries, it is often not treated as a serious international offense. This oversight is largely due to pervasive issues such as poverty, unemployment, and high rates of illiteracy in the region.

One of the foremost reasons for the poor performance in combating human smuggling in South Asia is the apparent lack of prioritization. Governments in these countries often do not perceive human trafficking as a serious international offense. This lack of urgency is reflected in their policy formulations, law enforcement practices, and resource allocation. Human trafficking is frequently overshadowed by other pressing issues such as economic development, political stability, and counter-terrorism efforts. Consequently, anti-trafficking measures receive insufficient attention and funding, leading to weak enforcement and

limited impact.

The pervasive poverty and high unemployment rates in South Asian countries create a fertile ground for human trafficking. Desperation drives individuals to seek better opportunities, often falling prey to traffickers who exploit their vulnerabilities. This economic desperation is compounded by corruption within law enforcement and governmental agencies. Corrupt officials may turn a blind eye to trafficking activities or even participate in them, undermining efforts to dismantle trafficking networks. The combination of economic pressures and corruption significantly hinders the effective implementation of anti-trafficking laws.

High illiteracy rates in South Asia further exacerbate the problem of human trafficking. Illiteracy limits awareness and understanding of legal rights, making individuals more susceptible to exploitation. Traffickers exploit this ignorance, using deceit and coercion to entrap their victims. Moreover, illiteracy hampers the ability of communities to mobilize and advocate for stronger anti-trafficking measures. Education and awareness campaigns are crucial in preventing trafficking, but these efforts are often inadequate in regions with high illiteracy rates.

Many South Asian countries lack robust legal frameworks to combat human trafficking effectively which opens doors for the corrupt officials of the department responsible for combating the human trafficking. Existing laws may be outdated, insufficiently punitive, or poorly enforced. Victims often face significant barriers in accessing justice, and prosecutions of traffickers are rare. The criminal justice system's inefficiencies, including lengthy judicial processes and lack of victim protection mechanisms, further deter victims from coming forward.

This impunity emboldens traffickers and perpetuates the cycle of exploitation.

Women and children, particularly from marginalized communities, are disproportionately affected by trafficking. Cultural norms that devalue these groups make it difficult to garner public support for anti-trafficking initiatives and ensure victim rehabilitation and reintegration.

In this context, a ceremony was held in Islamabad on the occasion of World Day against Trafficking in Persons. The Director General (DG) FIA, Ahmed Ishaq Jahangir addressed the event focusing on human trafficking, saying, "Human trafficking is a grave violation of human rights and a global challenge. He said, a large number of children fall victim to this trafficking and smuggling, human traffickers exploit these children, subjecting them to forced labour and violence. Providing protection to children and safeguarding their rights is our moral and legal duty, the DG averred.

The DG maintained that the FIA has taken significant steps to strengthen our laws, enhance the capabilities of law enforcement agencies, and promote international cooperation, adding that the efforts of FIA officers and personnel in the fight against human trafficking are commendable. In Pakistan, human traffickers have devised methods to exploit legal loopholes, using Umrah and Ziarat visas as cover for their illicit activities, including begging, larceny and street crimes. These traffickers exploit vulnerable individuals seeking better opportunities abroad, promising them jobs and a brighter future, only to smuggle them under the guise of religious pilgrimages.