Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao on Monday outlined an action plan to curb human trafficking in a more effective and vigorous way. He presented the plan at a seminar, which was attended by representatives from the European Union, Canada and the United States, besides government officials.
The minister said the plan focuses on three 'Ps' ie 'preventing' human trafficking, 'protecting' and assisting the victims, and 'prosecuting' the perpetrators.
The preventive side includes enactment of amendments to Prevention and Control of Human Trafficking Ordinance 2002 and framing rules thereto.
The offences related to human trafficking under this Ordinance have been declared cognisable, non-bailable and non-compoundable and made punishable with maximum sentence of 14 years imprisonment.
From time to time, awareness campaigns on migrants' rights, policies and procedures for promotion of migrants through regular and legal channels at the grass-roots and higher levels would be launched.
Sherpao said there was general lack of awareness among the people regarding trafficking. The campaigns will help disseminate knowledge about the problem so that families, the community, the law enforcement agencies, lawyers, prosecutors and the media are able to play their role in curbing the menace.
Travel and identity documents would be made more secure so that these maght not be tampered, misused or forged.
Monitoring and surveillance of recruitment and employment agencies would be further strengthened in order to check fraudulent operators, or individuals, he said.
Forgery detection, machines would be installed at all entry and exit points as well as on Immigration counters.
Various governmental, international and non-governmental agencies, ministries and organisations would carry out research, especially with regard to data related to offenders and their prosecution and preventive measures.
The root causes of human trafficking, such as poverty and social deprivation, would be addressed by promoting economic rehabilitation, imparting necessary skills and education and providing jobs opportunities.
Prosecution of offenders would be ensured through FIA, Police, Frontier Corps, Coast Guards and Levies to stop illegal immigration.
Measures related to permission, or denial, of entry into the country and issuance of visa would be streamlined. The relevant officials would exercise strict vigilance and conduct raids periodically or when necessary to apprehend human smugglers.
Special training for anti-trafficking, immigration and other relevant officials would be geared up to augment their skills and professionalism in combating human trafficking.
For the protection of victims, shelter homes would be set up in order to provide safety, access to independent advice and counselling, medical health and rehabilitation to the trafficking victims, the Minister said.
A model shelter has been established at Islamabad with the co-operation of International Organisation of Migration and US embassy, he said.
Two inter-ministerial committees on human trafficking headed by minister for interior and secretary interior, respectively, have been formed for policy making and inter-agency co-ordination.
Sherpao said that during the past two years certain technical steps including computerised national identity cards, machine-readable passport, automated finger and facial impression system had helped to a great extend in combating criminal activities.
Canadian representative, US Ambassador and IOM representative appreciated the efforts of Minister and the government to more effectively deal with the universal problem of human trafficking. They assured continued assistance to the government.