Unseen victims, unheard voices

As Pakistan struggles with economic hardships and political instability, a serious and frequently overlooked crisis – human trafficking – continues to worsen.

This insidious crime preys on society’s most vulnerable individuals, taking advantage of their despair and trapping them in cycles of abuse and exploitation. Women, children, and underprivileged communities are especially vulnerable, experiencing a reality that is both terrible and profoundly embedded in the country’s socioeconomic structure.

In Pakistan, human trafficking takes several forms, including forced labour, sexual exploitation, and child trafficking. The socioeconomic situation, characterized by widespread poverty, unemployment, and enduring gender inequities, creates a climate in which traffickers can operate with alarming ease. Families in rural areas, where poverty is most prevalent, may resort to trading their children into forced labour in order to settle debts or acquire basic supplies.

According to an International Labour Organization (ILO) assessment, Pakistan has an estimated 12.5 million child labourers, many of whom work in hazardous industries such as brick-making and textile weaving.

Trafficking takes many forms in cities such as Karachi and Lahore, but it is no less terrible. Women and girls are frequently coerced into sexual exploitation through job or marriage. According to the Global Slavery Index 2018, around 3.1 million individuals in Pakistan are victims of modern slavery, with a substantial number of women and children subjected to forced labour and sexual exploitation.

Despite the severity of the issue, Pakistan’s law-enforcement and judicial systems encounter considerable obstacles in combating human trafficking. The Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act of 2018 was an important step forward, criminalizing both sex and labour trafficking. However, implementation remains weak, hampered by corruption, insufficient training, and limited resources.

The US Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons Report designated Pakistan as a Tier 2 Watch List country in 2021, suggesting that, while the government is making considerable efforts to achieve the basic standards for eliminating trafficking, it is not entirely compliant.

Corruption within law-enforcement organizations is a major impediment to effectively combat trafficking. In many cases, traffickers can operate freely, aided by corrupt authorities who either turn a blind eye or encourage these crimes. According to Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index, Pakistan is placed 140th out of 180 countries in 2021, showing the widespread corruption that hampers attempts to combat human trafficking.

The socio-cultural backdrop in Pakistan contributes to the problem, especially for female victims. In a society where honour and reputation are highly valued, victims of trafficking, particularly women and girls, are frequently stigmatized and socially excluded. This stigma silences them, making it harder for them to seek aid or assimilate back into society. The dread of dishonour keeps many from fleeing their traffickers.

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society groups play an important role in Pakistan’s battle against human trafficking. These organizations provide critical support services like as housing, legal aid, and rehabilitation to survivors. However, their efforts are frequently hampered by insufficient resources and a lack of government assistance.

A coordinated national response combining government, public society, and the commercial sector is required to effectively combat human trafficking.

Human trafficking prevention strategies must include education and awareness. Empowering vulnerable groups with education about the hazards of trafficking and their rights is critical for preventing exploitation. Schools, community groups, and media sources must work together to communicate this information extensively, so that potential victims are aware and vigilant.

Pakistan’s 2022 accession to the UN Trafficking in Persons Protocol is a step in the right direction internationally. It is still crucial to put this pledge into practice, though, by creating a nationwide hotline for victims of human trafficking, enhancing law-enforcement officer training, and raising public awareness. These actions are essential to destroying the systems that support modern-day slavery and defending the rights and dignity of every citizen.

Pakistan has to confront the serious and immediate issue of human trafficking. The nation cannot afford to ignore this widespread problem as it negotiates political and economic difficulties.

By fortifying legislative structures, augmenting law enforcement proficiencies, and bolstering non-governmental organizations’ endeavours, Pakistan might initiate substantial strides in combating human trafficking. Ensuring that justice is administered and the most vulnerable are protected is not simply a legal requirement but also a moral one.

The writer is a freelance contributor.