President calls for unified national effort to combat human trafficking 

ISLAMABAD, Jul 29 (APP): President, Asif Ali Zardari has called for a united, relentless and global response to human trafficking, describing it as one of the gravest violations of human rights in the modern era, in a message issued on the occasion of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, observed annually on July 30.

In his message on the occasion, the president said human trafficking is not merely a statutory offence but a transnational crime that respects no borders, nationalities or socio-economic status. He noted that criminal syndicates ruthlessly target people desperate for a better future, whether they are seeking economic opportunities or fleeing conflict, often resulting in the loss of precious lives, particularly during unauthorised sea travel.

The president identified poverty, local and regional conflicts, lack of economic opportunities, inadequate education and limited awareness of immigration processes as the root causes fuelling trafficking networks. He stressed that these underlying factors must be understood and addressed if the challenge is to be tackled effectively.

Highlighting the growing threat of cybercrime gangs using online scams to lure young people, the president called for a multi-layered strategy combining law enforcement action, digital literacy and alternative economic opportunities, alongside an extensive public awareness campaign targeted particularly at vulnerable and poverty-stricken communities.

President Zardari said Pakistan has fundamentally reshaped its strategy by strengthening collaboration between local law enforcement agencies and international partners to ensure there are no safe havens for traffickers, whether within or outside the country’s borders. He credited the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) with standing at the front line of this fight, noting its deep commitment to combating the menace on multiple fronts.

According to the president, the country has significantly enhanced its intelligence capabilities, shifting from reactive policing to a proactive approach. He said intensified efforts to dismantle trafficking networks have led to the arrest of major operatives and the rescue of vulnerable victims, while border controls and immigration processes are being tightened to detect fraudulent documents and suspicious travel patterns before victims can be moved out of the country.

The president urged every citizen to act as “the eyes and ears of our nation,” calling on the public to recognise warning signs such as unverified overseas job offers, unsafe travel arrangements, missing children or exploited labour, and to report suspicious activity to the authorities.

He also appealed to society to treat trafficking victims with compassion rather than stigma, describing them as survivors of profound trauma rather than criminals, and called for clear pathways to their rehabilitation.

Looking ahead, the president said Pakistan must build an environment where hope and genuine economic prospects flourish locally, especially for the country’s youth, so that no family feels compelled by desperation to fall into the hands of traffickers.

He concluded by reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to combating human trafficking in collaboration with international partners, with the goal of creating a sanctuary where people can live safely and with dignity.