ISLAMABAD, June 2: Pakistan has improved its anti-human trafficking performance, notably by increasing prosecutions and convictions of culprits involved in the crime. This was said in a report delivered by US ambassador to Pakistan Ryan C. Crocker to Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao here on Thursday.

The report says Pakistan has strengthened implementation of its 2002 Prevention and Control of Human Trafficking Ordinance, established an Anti-Trafficking Unit (ATU) in the Federal Investigation Agency, and co-sponsored several public awareness programmes.

In his meeting with the minister, the ambassador said continued improvement in all three areas of protection, prosecution and prevention would be important in the coming years.

“We look forward to further cooperation on trafficking-in- persons issues,” the ambassador added.

The US government has provided over $100,000 through the International Organization for Migration to establish a model shelter for the trafficking victims, build capacity of law- enforcement officials in the ATU and conduct mass awareness activities.— A Reporter