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| December 13, 2005 | Tuesday | Ziqa’ad 10, 1426 |
Action plan launched to curb human smuggling
ISLAMABAD, Dec 12: The government on Monday launched the National Action Plan (NAP) to combat human smuggling, with special emphasis on protecting and assisting victims of trafficking, ensuring prosecution of perpetrators and fighting organized crime.
The plan has been commended by the US, Canada, European Union and United Arab Emirates (UAE). With the implementation of the plan, Pakistan is likely to be upgraded in the US State Department’s rating of human smuggling-affected countries.
At present, Pakistan is in tier-II and it is likely to be upgraded to tier-I, Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao said while launching NAP.
The launching ceremony was attended by US Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker, Canadian High Commissioner David B. Collins, European Union Deputy High Commissioner Mr Benz, diplomats and senior government officials.
The National Action Plan against human smuggling and illegal migration has so far been made by only 18 countries, including Pakistan.
Mr Sherpao said the plan was imperative for any country to improve its status in the international rating of the US State Department on human smuggling and illegal immigration.
The plan was formulated in the light of studies and surveys conducted by local and international organizations like Canadian International Development Agency, International Organization of Migration (IOM) and other stakeholders.
“It is a policy document which will help recognize government’s efforts to curb human smuggling at the international level,” the minister said. The plan, he said, focused on three “Ps”; preventing human trafficking, protecting and assisting the victims and prosecuting perpetrators.
The preventive side includes enactment of amendments to Prevention and Control of Human Trafficking Ordinance 2002 and framing rules, he said.
The offences related to human trafficking under this ordinance had been declared cognizable, non-bailable and non- compoundable and made punishable with maximum sentence of up to 14 years imprisonment.
Mr Sherpao said there was a general lack of awareness regarding trafficking among people. The campaigns will help disseminate knowledge about the problem so that families, community, law enforcement agencies, lawyers, prosecutors and media were able to play their role in curbing the menace.
Monitoring and surveillance of recruitment and employment agencies would be further strengthened in order to check fraudulent operators or individuals, Mr Sherpao said.
Forgery detection machines would be installed at all entry and exit points as well as immigration counters. Various governmental, international and non-governmental agencies, ministries and organizations would carry out research especially with regard to data related to offenders and their prosecution and preventive measures.
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