ISLAMABAD, Nov 1: Aftab Ahmed Kahn Sherpao has expressed concern over increase in human trafficking and stated that it posed serious threat to country’s image. A spokesman for the ministry said during a meeting of the Inter-Agency Task Force on human trafficking held here on Monday the minister directed all law enforcement agencies to do their utmost to check this menace. He said that neighbouring countries were also supporting the drive.

Mr Sherpao emphasized in the meeting that a vigorous and coordinated effort was necessary to eliminate the menace of human trafficking from Pakistan.

He directed the law enforcement agencies to gear up their efforts in the multi-pronged drive against human trafficking. Federal Investigation Agency and police would also participate in this drive, he added.

The minister reviewed the performance of the Inter Agency Task Force and directed the agencies to improve their coordination.

He directed the agencies to check all points of origin of human trafficking in Punjab as well as transit points such as Karachi and exit points at Taftan, Mand Billo, etc.

A number of tasks were assigned to all the agencies involved in this campaign.

He announced that on Pakistan’s initiative a quadrilateral meeting would be held in Athens in December, which would be attended by Pakistan, Iran, Turkey and Greece while Afghanistan was also expected to participate.

The ministry spokesman said that human trafficking has assumed alarming proportions and has become a trans-national problem. However, he stated that the government was capable of quashing this problem in all its manifestations with more Inter-Agency Coordination and data sharing.

The meeting was attended by the secretary interior, heads of Frontier Constabulary, Coastguards, Balochistan Levies, Maritime Security Agency and provincial police authorities.