Pakistan joined the international community on Wednesday in observing the World Day against Trafficking in Persons.
The day is marked annually on July 30 to raise awareness about human trafficking and strengthen efforts to protect victims.
This year’s theme, “Trapped Behind the Scam,” highlights the increasing exploitation of vulnerable people through forced criminal activities, including online scams and cyber-enabled crimes run by organized criminal networks.
A joint ceremony was held in Islamabad, bringing together representatives from federal ministries, government institutions, law enforcement agencies, criminal justice bodies, development partners, civil society organizations, and members of the diplomatic community. The event was organized by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), International Organization for Migration (IOM), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), International Labour Organization (ILO), Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO), International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), and International Returns and Reintegration Assistance (IRARA).
Speakers emphasized the importance of coordinated action to strengthen criminal justice systems, improve prevention strategies, and ensure effective protection, assistance, and reintegration of trafficking victims.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development and the FIA highlighted Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling while promoting safe, orderly, and regular migration. They pointed to key initiatives, including the National Emigration and Welfare Policy, as well as Pakistan’s first five-year National Action Plan to Counter Trafficking in Persons (2026–2030) and National Action Plan to Counter Smuggling of Migrants (2026–2030).
Addressing the changing nature of organized crime, FIA officials reiterated the agency’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks by strengthening digital and financial investigations. They stressed that facilitators, organizers, financiers, and others involved in trafficking-related crimes would be identified and brought to justice.
The event also featured an expert panel discussion titled “Trafficking for Forced Criminality in the Digital Age,” where specialists from law enforcement, legal, protection, and civil society sectors examined the growing link between human trafficking and cybercrime while sharing strategies to tackle emerging challenges.
The commemoration concluded with participants reaffirming their commitment to a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to preventing trafficking for forced criminality. They stressed the need for a victim-centred response focused on early identification, protection, reintegration, and the application of the non-punishment principle, while enhancing efforts to safeguard vulnerable communities from evolving forms of transnational organized crime.
