Islamabad , 30 July 2026(Kamran Raja):Every year on 30th July, the world observes the World Day against Trafficking in Persons to raise awareness of the plight of trafficking victims and to strengthen global efforts to protect and support them. This year’s theme, “Trapped Behind the Scam”, draws attention to the growing threat of trafficking in persons for the forced criminality, where criminal networks exploit vulnerable individuals by deceiving, coercing, and forcing them to commit crimes, including online scam operations and other cyber-enabled criminal activities that generate significant illicit profits for organized crime groups.
To mark the day, representatives from federal ministries, government departments, law enforcement and criminal justice institutions, the development sector, civil society organizations, and the diplomatic community gathered in Islamabad in a joint commemoration organized by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), International Organization for Migration (IOM), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), International LabourOrganization (ILO), Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO), International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), and International Returns and Reintegration Assistance (IRARA). Messages delivered by representatives of the organizations underscored the importance of collective action to strengthen criminal justice responses, advance prevention efforts, and ensure comprehensive victim protection, assistance, and reintegration support.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, and the Federal Investigation Agency highlighted Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its response to trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants, while promoting safe, orderly, and regular migration. Key national initiatives highlighted included the National Emigration and Welfare Policy, developed under the leadership of Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, as well as Pakistan’s first dedicated five-year National Action Plan to Counter Trafficking in Persons (2026–2030) and National Action Plan to Counter Smuggling of Migrants (2026–2030), developed under the leadership of the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control.
Addressing the evolving nature of these crimes, the FIA reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling the illicit financial and cyber operations of criminal organizations by strengthening digital and financial investigations and holding accountable those who enable, organize, and profit from these crimes, including facilitators, principal organizers, and financiers
The event also featured an expert panel discussion on “Trafficking for Forced Criminality in the Digital Age,” bringing together law enforcement, legal, protection, and civil society experts to exchange perspectives, share experiences, and discuss approaches to address trafficking for forced criminality and its growing nexus with cybercrime.
The commemoration concluded with stakeholders reaffirming a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to preventing trafficking for forced criminality, grounded in a victim-centered perspective that prioritizes victim identification, protection, and the application of the non-punishment principle, while strengthening responses to protect vulnerable populations and address the evolving nature of transnational organized crime.