UNODC organizes conference to highlight human trafficking issues in Pakistan

Source: Xinhua| 2019-09-17 00:38:07|Editor: Mu Xuequan
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ISLAMABAD, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has organized a regional conference to highlight issues and efforts being taken to combat trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants in Pakistan.

The conference was arranged here on Monday under the framework of the Global Action to Prevent and Address Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants in Asia and the Middle East (GLO.ACT-Asia and the Middle East), a four year (2018-2022) joint initiative by the European Union and UNODC in five countries of Asia and Middle East, including Pakistan.

Speaking on the occasion, Additional Director General Immigration of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Ahmed Mukkarram said the agency has taken numerous measures to investigate and prosecute illegal migrants and travelers.

"FIA has taken concrete steps which include the enactment of laws on Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants in May 2018 as well as the significant restructuring of the agency, leading to the establishment of several new anti-human trafficking circles across Pakistan," the official said.

Representative of UNODC Pakistan Jeremy Milsom hailed Pakistan's efforts saying increased cooperation among agencies at local and provincial level has led to an increase in the number of prosecutions and arrest of traffickers and smugglers.

"New partners, such as the Pakistan Railways Police, identified during the implementation of GLO.ACT-Asia and the Middle East play an important role in controlling internal trafficking issues in Pakistan," Milsom said.

Delegates from Afghanistan, Egypt, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Morocco and Nepal traveled to Pakistan to attend the conference.

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