ISLAMABAD, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday reaffirmed the government's commitment to intensifying efforts against human trafficking, calling it one of the gravest forms of organized crime and human rights violations.
In a message marking the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Sharif said Pakistan stood with the international community in renewing its resolve to combat the global menace through coordinated national and international efforts.
The prime minister said human trafficking is closely linked to other organized crimes, including irregular migration, forged travel documents, money laundering and forced labor, requiring a comprehensive strategy involving legal, administrative, social and community-level measures.
He said the government has adopted a broad strategy to dismantle human trafficking networks across the country, while equipping law enforcement agencies, particularly the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), with preventive mechanisms to detect and disrupt trafficking activities before they occur.
Sharif said Pakistan is also strengthening cooperation with provincial governments, local law enforcement agencies and international partners, including INTERPOL and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), to enhance efforts against human trafficking.
The prime minister added that specialized training is being provided to FIA Anti-Human Trafficking Units to ensure victims are treated with compassion and dignity while traffickers are prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Calling for greater public participation, Sharif urged citizens to remain vigilant, report suspected trafficking networks through FIA helplines and official reporting channels, and help protect vulnerable communities from exploitation.
He stressed that victims of human trafficking should be regarded as survivors of exploitation rather than criminals and reaffirmed the government's commitment to providing them with legal protection, psychosocial support and rehabilitation services.
Sharif called for collective action to eliminate human trafficking and build a Pakistan that offers greater opportunities, prosperity and a secure future for its youth. ■
