LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly’s Special Committee on Anti-Human Smuggling on Thursday ordered establishment of a dedicated anti-human trafficking cell in the police department in each district by Fe28.

The maiden meeting of the panel chaired by MPA Uzma Kardar sought submission of the compliance report to the committee secretary.

These cells will be responsible for monitoring and addressing human trafficking issues within their respective jurisdictions.

Additionally, deputy commissioners were asked to reactivate anti-trafficking committees in their respective districts and hold their monthly meetings, sharing the outcome with the PA committee secretary.

The PA body will regularly meet every month to track the performance of the administrative departments, it was decided.

The committee suggested that the DCs of Gujrat, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Jhelum and Gujranwala should compile and submit a database with regard to the families of Italy and Spain boat tragedies’ victim next week.

Syed Kausar Abbas of the Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO) said that these committees would help ensure accountability at the local level and implementation of anti-trafficking laws.

Adnan Afzal Chathha, chairperson of the Chief Minister’s Task Force on Skill Development stressed the importance of engaging youth in productive skills and entrepreneurship to prevent them from falling prey to trafficking and exploitation.

The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including administrative secretaries, additional IG of police, deputy commissioners and district police officers from high-risk districts, representatives from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), civil society groups and foreign delegates.

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2025