ISLAMABAD, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Interior Minister of Pakistan Ijaz Ahmed Shah said on Thursday that the Pakistani government has taken practical and effective steps to control human trafficking.
Human trafficking has been controlled by establishing numerous new check posts by paramilitary troops and coast guards, and conducting intelligence-based operations against those involved in the heinous crime, the minister said during a meeting with visiting Minister of Security of Bosnia-Herzegovina Selmo Cikotic.
"Most of the cases of illegal immigration emerge out of search for better economic opportunities," said Shah, adding that the Pakistani government is not only taking effective steps to control the menace of illegal human trafficking but also creating economic opportunities in the country to eliminate the root cause of the problem.
The government has implemented special initiatives to boost the housing and construction sector in the country which is getting momentum and creating job opportunities, he said. "Availability of better economic opportunity will result in the return of the illegal immigrants willingly."
On Wednesday, Pakistan and Bosnia-Herzegovina signed a bilateral readmission agreement, paving the way for repatriation of nearly 3,000 illegal Pakistani migrants, according to Pakistani government officials. Enditem
