An awareness seminar on combating human trafficking was held at the University of Okara (UO) under the patronage of DrIlyasMahmood, Head, Department of Linguistics and Centre of Language & Learning. The event was organized in collaboration with the United States’ Department of State and Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO). Syed Kausar Abbas, Executive Director of the SSDO, presented a detailed overview of various practices of human trafficking both within the state and across borders.
He argued that women and children were the most vulnerable sections for trafficking. Discussing the most common type of trafficking, he told, “Usually the traffickers trap youngsters in fake promises of employment. People tend to easily fall prey to this trap and lose money, honor and sometimes lives.” He also highlighted various legal frameworks that exist to cease the trafficking. The other guest speaker, Prof DrFarhanNaveedYousaf from University of the Punjab, told in his address, “These days, most of the Pakistani youngsters desire to go abroad and due to lack of awareness about migration laws and processes, they get ensnared at the hands of fake travel agents who commit scams and play with the lives of these aspirants.” He stressed on changing the behaviors and raising awareness in order to combat trafficking.
DrIlyas, in his closing remarks, thanked the speakers on imparting information off such an important subject. He also shared some case studies where people became victims of trafficking.
