A total of 123,093 Pakistanis were deported from different countries in 2017 due to various reasons, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) said on Wednesday, revealing that 93,736 were deported from Saudi Arabia alone and 10,393 from the United Arab Emirates.
These figures were disclosed at an annual report launch event on human trafficking and migrant smuggling that was organised by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), with the support of the United States Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (USJ/TIP).
The other top 10 countries from where Pakistanis were deported include Bahrain, Greece, Malaysia, Oman, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom and United States of America. The main reason behind their deportation is overstay followed by illegal entry, illegal migration and loss of passport.
Meanwhile, the FIA arrested 20 most wanted human traffickers from different areas of the country while 101 most wanted human traffickers and smugglers were added to the Red Book listing all their names. Throughout Pakistan, a total of 10,322 new inquiries related to human trafficking and smuggling were registered in 2017, out of which 4,189 were converted into cases while the rest were disposed of.
Speaking on the occasion, Ahmed Mukkarram, Additional Director General Immigration FIA, appreciated the efforts of the UNODC and the assistance provided by the US Department of State. "It is with these efforts that the law against trafficking in persons has been enacted in Pakistan," he said, adding that such engagement helps improve communication and raise awareness of relevant stakeholders on the issue.
"It helps recognise the victims, enhances delivery of services for the protection of victims of trafficking in persons and broadens access to available protection services," he said.
Davor Raus, Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer, UNODC Vienna, emphasised the importance of public-private partnership and said, "Partnership between the government and the private sector in preventing and fighting all forms of trafficking in persons has become the need of the hour. It is with collective efforts that we can defeat the menace and make the world a safer place."
He added, "The UNODC looks to civil society and private sector organisations to contribute for raising awareness to prevent Trafficking in Persons." Mufakhar Adeel, Additional Director Immigration FIA, spoke on international and national norms and practices. He briefed the participants on the Agency and its day and night work to control this crime.
Naveed Ahmad Shinwari, UNODC consultant, gave a presentation on the roles, responsibilities, and initiatives of civil society, NGOs, and the private sector in combating trafficking in persons. He said, "Every sector is making efforts to fight this menace, but no coordination exists between relevant stakeholders to address this issue holistically.'
Lucy Coburn, US Embassy Islamabad, delivered a presentation, while Samantha Novick and Andrea Balint from the US State Department's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons participated in the conference.
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