ISLAMABAD, October 24(APP): Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal has said that the government is fully committed to combat human trafficking in all forms.
Addressing a two day Regional Conference on Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling here Tuesday, he urged the global community to join hands under the auspices of United Nations against the menace.
The Minister said it is very important to identify the factors leading to a surge in human trafficking and smuggling. He said people in conflict stricken areas are more prone to trafficking and related evils.
Ahsan Iqbal said peace and stability has been restored in Pakistan during the last four years with a significant decline in terror attacks and crimes. He said we are focusing on factors sparking the trafficking related crimes by providing an enabling environment to crisis and conflict stricken people and by eliminating the economic factors like poverty and unemployment that tempt people to these crimes.
Similarly, he said, protection and rehabilitation of victims of trafficking is being prioritized to include them in the mainstream.
The Minister said Federal Investigation Agency is mandated to tighten the noose around the traffickers and criminals involved in related crimes by strengthening prosecution.
APP/saima/anm/ VNS Islamabad
