Islamabad, Pakistan – On 11 October 2024, UNODC, under the EU-funded PROTECT initiative within the framework of GLO.ACT, organized an inter-ministerial consultative workshop in Pakistan. The event aimed to bolster Pakistan’s efforts in combating Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and Smuggling of Migrants (SOM).
The workshop brought together high-level officials, policymakers, and stakeholders from federal and provincial government, civil society, district-level Anti-TIP committees, and international organizations. Together, they engaged in discussions focused on the effective implementation of Pakistan’s National Action Plan and improving coordination among stakeholders.
Held in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the workshop marked a significant step forward in enhancing inter-agency coordination and aligning Pakistan’s efforts with international TIP and SOM standards.
The ceremony opened with welcome remarks from the Additional Director of Border Management at the Ministry of Interior and the Additional Director General of FIA’s Anti-Human Smuggling Wing (AHS). A key focus was Pakistan’s progress in addressing TIP and SOM in line with global standards. Additionally, the Assistant Director (US Division) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted Pakistan’s tier ranking in the U.S. State Department’s TIP Report and its implications for the country’s international standing and obligations.
Participants engaged in in-depth discussions about the critical role of inter-agency coordination and the enforcement of anti-TIP and SOM legislation. Presentations by senior officials from the Ministry of Interior and FIA’s Deputy Director of AHS emphasized the importance of stakeholder collaboration and strict legislative implementation against offenders. Shahida Gillani, UNODC Programme Officer, Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling, delivered a compelling presentation on the role of international organizations in countering TIP and SOM, stressing the need for collective efforts and partnerships to achieve sustainable results.
The workshop concluded with a joint review session of the National Action Plan, led by the Director of FIA’s Anti-Human Smuggling Wing. Representatives from provincial agencies under the Anti-TIP committees shared updates on their progress, challenges, and strategies to foster a more collaborative environment for future initiatives.
Closing remarks by representatives of the Ministry of Interior, FIA, and key international partners, including UNODC, ILO, IOM, ICMPD, and SSDO, reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to addressing TIP and SOM through evidence-based strategies, strengthened inter-agency coordination, and enhanced cooperation.
The workshop was attended by 68 participants, including 12 women who were present on-site, with additional stakeholders from government and civil society joining virtually from across Pakistan.
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PROTECT: Improving Migration Management & Migrant Protection in Selected Silk Route Countries
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is implementing the European Union-(EU) funded PROTECT initiative within the framework of GLO.ACT across Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, and Tajikistan. This initiative also addresses challenges in the broader Central Asia region, including the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, with a primary focus on enhancing the effectiveness of responses to trafficking in persons (TIP) and smuggling of migrants (SOM), particularly in relation to criminal justice. Meanwhile, the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) is responsible for implementing the PROTECT initiative in Afghanistan (specifically through virtual MRC Afghanistan), Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Their primary objectives include improving gender-sensitive and rights-based migration governance at the national level and establishing Migrant Resource Centers (MRCs).
This project is funded by the European Union.
For more information, please contact:
Martin Reeve (Mr.)
Coordinator, GLO.ACT
Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Section
Organized Crime and Illicit Trafficking Branch
UNODC
Golda Myra ROMA (Ms.)
Senior Project Manager
ICMPD Silk Routes Region – Budapest Process