Zubair Qureshi
Denmark has signed a DKK 10 million (US$ 1.585 million) partnership agreement with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) – UN Migration Agency in Pakistan to assist Pakistani authorities and build capacity to meet the challenges occurred on Pakistan as a result of irregular migration.
Under the signed partnership agreement, Denmark will provide funds to implement a comprehensive and coordinated response to combat Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants in Pakistan.
The partnership agreement was signed by Lis Rosenholm, Ambassador of Denmark to Pakistan and Mio Sato, Chief of Mission, IOM Pakistan at the Danish Embassy in Islamabad on Monday.
The IOM, in close partnership with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) will implement a range of activities relating to prevention of TIP and SOM as well as ensuring protection of victims of these organized crimes.
IOM Pakistan has closely aligned all project activities with the priorities of the FIA as outlined in their National Action Plan (2021-2025) to Combat TIP and SOM in Pakistan.
Over a duration of three years, IOM will strengthen technical capacities of relevant stakeholders’ immigration and border management officials to prevent irregular migration, work closely with vulnerable populations to encourage regular migration as opposed to irregular migration and provide direct assistance to victims of TIP and SOM, enabling them to sustainably reintegrate into the society.
The Denmark ambassador expressed her appreciation for the close cooperation with the Federal Investigation Agency and IOM, and said “Denmark’s support is in natural extension of the Danish government’s wish to work with international partners to find ways to improve the international response to challenges with irregular migration, including human trafficking and smuggling”.
Speaking at the occasion, Mio Sato thanked the Government of Denmark for their gracious support towards this much-needed initiative.
