Islamabad (Web Desk): The World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is being observed today (Wednesday), across the globe including Pakistan, focusing international attention on the widespread and deeply rooted crime that continues to exploit millions.
The theme for 2025, “Human Trafficking is Organized Crime – End the Exploitation,” highlights the urgent need to dismantle criminal syndicates responsible for profiting from human suffering and to place victims at the center of all anti-trafficking efforts.
On this occasion, both President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have reaffirmed Pakistan's strong commitment to combating this transnational crime.
In his statement, President Zardari called for greater global cooperation, public education, and unified action to eliminate human trafficking.
He pointed to Pakistan’s enforcement of stringent laws and its efforts to introduce modern and effective mechanisms aimed at curbing this crime.
“Pakistan’s law enforcement and relevant authorities are working with dedication to identify and dismantle trafficking networks and bring perpetrators to justice,” President Zardari said.
He assured that Pakistan would continue to collaborate with international partners to eliminate human trafficking and create a world free from such abuse.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif echoed these sentiments, noting the recent tragic incidents involving Pakistani migrants, especially the drownings of vessels attempting to transport individuals illegally across borders.
These events, he said, have exposed the harsh realities of human trafficking and the risks faced by those seeking better lives through unsafe and illegal means. The Prime Minister announced that the federal government has established a special task force dedicated to preventing human trafficking and reducing the number of such incidents.
He further stated that Pakistan is playing an active role in regional and global platforms such as the Budapest Process, the Silk Road initiative, and the Bali Process, all of which aim to protect vulnerable populations and enhance collective efforts against trafficking.
This year's global campaign draws attention to the fact that trafficking is often intertwined with other forms of organized crime, including drug smuggling, cybercrime, and money laundering. The 2025 initiative calls for the immediate dismantling of these powerful criminal structures while ensuring that survivors remain at the heart of all policy and enforcement actions.
According to the most recent UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, children are especially vulnerable, facing a disproportionately high risk of violence. The report reveals that minors are twice as likely as adults to endure physical abuse while being trafficked, underlining the urgent need for targeted protection measures and support systems tailored to their needs.
Today, governments, civil society groups, law enforcement bodies, and individuals worldwide are engaging in activities to raise awareness, push for stronger legal safeguards, and support trafficking survivors.
The observance serves as a stark reminder of the scale and severity of human trafficking and the pressing need for unified global action to bring an end to this form of modern slavery.