Call for urgent reforms to combat human trafficking

LAHORE:The Sustainable Social Development Organisation (SSDO) hosted a press conference here on Thursday to address Greece boat like tragedy in future.

The event called for urgent reforms to combat trafficking in persons (TIP) and irregular migration. The press conference featured MPA Uzma Kardar, Chairperson of the Special Committee on Anti-Human Smuggling and Trafficking, and SSDO Executive Director Syed Kausar Abbas, MPA Adnan Afzal Chattha, focal person for the Chief Minister's Skill Development Initiative, Chairperson Punjab Child Protection Bureau MPA Sarah Ahmed, MPA from PTI Zainab Sher.

They emphasised the critical need for policy and legislative reforms to address the systemic issues fueling irregular migration and ensure justice for the victims and their families. Syed Kausar Abbas stated that last year, a similar boat tragedy resulted in the loss of 350 lives after which, on the instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif a committee was formed under the leadership of doctor Ihsan Sadiq. This committee prepared a report, but its implementation has not been carried out to date. He urged that immediate action be taken to implement this report. He further mentioned that SSDO, along with the Parliamentary Committee, will begin visiting the homes of the victims next week to take immediate measures to address their issues.

“The Greece boat tragedy serves as a painful reminder of the perils of irregular migration. It is time for Pakistan to take decisive action to strengthen its legal frameworks, enhance enforcement capacities and address the socio-economic factors driving migration,” said Syed Kausar Abbas.

Kausar Abbas provided an overview of SSDO’s briefing paper, which outlines key recommendations to tackle trafficking in persons (TIP). These include amending anti-human smuggling laws to treat smuggled migrants as victims, enhancing the capacity of law enforcement and judicial institutions and creating a central coordination body to streamline inter-agency efforts. The paper also calls for nationwide awareness campaigns and international collaboration with transit countries to dismantle smuggling networks. Chairperson of the Special Committee on Anti-Human Smuggling and Trafficking MPA Uzma Kardar highlighted the legislative priorities in combating trafficking in persons. “This tragedy underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reforms. The government is committed to working with all stakeholders to end human smuggling and ensure safe, legal migration pathways,” she remarked.

Uzma Kardar urged swift reforms to dismantle trafficking in persons networks. She stated that this tragedy has shaken us all to the core. Human trafficking is a crime against humanity and we must respond with strong laws and effective enforcement to bring perpetrators to justice, she said.

Kardar stressed the importance of comprehensive awareness campaigns targeting at-risk communities. “We cannot allow criminal networks to exploit the hopes and dreams of our youth. The government must work alongside civil society to educate people about the dangers of irregular migration and ensure that safe, legal pathways are available.