16 March 2022, Islamabad, Pakistan - UNODC, under the framework of the EU funded GLO.ACT project, for quite some time now and in collaboration with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), ACT project has been advocating with federal and provincial authorities to establish Trafficking in Persons (TIP) coordination committees across the country. As a result of this advocacy work, UNODC and the FIA, were able to organize on 16 March 2022 a high-level consultation workshop for provincial anti-human trafficking coordination committees.

This workshop provided a platform for all the relevant stakeholders to discuss the issues related to human trafficking. It was an opportunity for all the committee members to meet and deliberate around the objectives of these committees. During the workshop, the committee members were briefed on TIP, the enacted laws and the by-laws, and the importance of implementing robust monitoring and reporting systems.

Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed, Minister for Interior, addressing the participants, said, "Today's consultation is important for many reasons. Firstly, we need to ensure this issue remains on the national agenda and the agenda of provincial administrations. Today's discussion builds on the momentum created through the creation of the anti-human trafficking committees throughout Pakistan. Secondly, trafficking in persons is a transnational threat, which requires a transnational response. The United Nations provides a unique forum for achieving this goal".

Dr Jeremy Milsom, Representative UNODC Country Office Pakistan, in his remarks said, "Due to the multifaceted nature of human trafficking and its close connections with other transnational issues, no country is capable of combating this transnational threat on its own. This threat, therefore, requires a coordinated and meaningful response at all levels: local, regional, and international. In this regard, Pakistan has already notified the provincial-level TIP Coordination committees earlier this year. It is in the process of setting up district-level committees against TIP".

He further said, "The presence here today of senior government officials, dignitaries, law enforcement agencies, the international community, and civil society is an indication of the strong commitment and engagement of Pakistan in combating trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants, which I, on behalf of my agency, recognize with gratitude".

While giving his speech, the Director-General FIA, Mr Sanaullah Abbasi said, "Under the enacted laws, the police is responsible for addressing internal trafficking crime including sexual exploitation, forced prostitution, removal of organs, and forced beggary. The FIA has the mandate to curb trafficking across borders and migrant smuggling. The coordination and information sharing of all the relevant actors especially the police and the FIA is of key importance".