ISLAMABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Friday called for mass level awareness in eradicating trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants.

“However we need accurate information, informed by legal knowledge that can serve as a guideline for the government,” Mr Kundi said while addressing an interactive session with journalists on media reporting in trafficking in persons, smuggling of migrants and bonded labour in Pakistan organised by the Sustainable Social Development Organisation (SSDO).

The governor stressed upon the importance of protecting the identities and dignity of victims when reporting on these sensitive issues.

He encouraged media professionals to evaluate actions of law enforcement agencies within the framework of the law to improve their effectiveness, adding that media could serve as a

bridge between victims and governmental and non-governmental organisations that provide legal aid.

SSDO Executive Director Syed Kausar Abbas expressed his gratitude to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa GovernorFaisal Karim Kundi and journalists for attending the event.

He highlighted the growing concern of trafficking in persons and bonded labour in Pakistan, saying that to tackle these issues, media and law enforcement agencies must collaborate with a solid strategy.

Mr Abbas said it was very important to fully implement the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act, 2018 to counter this challenge.

During the session, journalists were briefed on national and international laws related to trafficking in persons.

Syed Kausar Abbas informed the participants that trafficking in persons in Pakistan occurred in two forms, internal trafficking within the country and cross-border trafficking.

He said children under the age of 18 were most vulnerable with child labour and exploitation in commercial sex being widespread. Both men and women as well as children and transgender persons were victims of this exploitation.

Mr Abbas spoke about the efforts of law enforcement agencies such as the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), police, labour departments and child protection institutes that were working against human trafficking.

The Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act, 2018 stipulates that those convicted of human trafficking could face up to seven years in prison, fines up to Rs1 million, or both.

He explained that the police handle cases of internal trafficking within the country while the FIA was responsible for investigating cross-border trafficking.

Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2024