UNODC reaffirms commitment to combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling nationally and beyond, through its broad based programme
Pearl Continental Hotel, Karachi
Mr. Akbar Khan Hoti the Director General of FIA co-chaired the opening ceremony along with Mr. Cesar Guedes - Representative UNODC; Her Excellency (H.E) Margaret Adamson - High Commissioner of Australia; H.E. Heather Cruden - High Commissioner of Canada; and H.E. Brigitta Blaha - Ambassador of Austria, who also delivered their key note speeches. Giving his welcome address Mr. Guedes reflected UNODC's efforts in helping the world to effectively combat HTMS in the region and beyond. He hailed the national strategy of the FIA Government of Pakistan, to effectively address HTMS in Pakistan. "There are 2.4 million victims of human trafficking around the world at any given time, out of which 70 percent are women and young girls. HTMS remains one of the most lucrative businesses generating over $32 billion in profits annually", said Mr. Guedes. During his opening remarks Mr. Hoti highlighted that the transnational criminal syndicates were using unfrequented routes for their nefarious plans to smuggle people, weapons and other contraband across borders. "We have improved the domestic laws, as well deployed technological means such as the Integrated Border Management System (IBMS) which has the capacity to risk manage and detect illegal movements" said Mr. Hoti. The FIA heads an inter agency task force on HTMS in Pakistan. He added that "the FIA is manning some 36 entry/exit points in the country and has established an effective regime against this menace in close collaboration with other law enforcement agencies and with close support by the UNODC Pakistan. We have arrested 23 most wanted migrant smugglers and 1,310 human traffickers during 2015, which reflects our national resolve to combat this menace".
Through this high-profile event, UNODC has vowed to present international best practices for improving border control mechanisms and regional cooperation for investigation, prosecution and protection of victims. It is currently supporting the Government of Pakistan through its broad-based Pakistan Country Programme (2010-2015), which envisages to go beyond the initially set objectives, by introducing the next Country Programme (2016-2019), aimed at fostering greater national and international interagency cooperation.
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Media Coverage
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3rd November 2015
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4th November 2015
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