Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS), in partnership with the IP5 project (Support to Parliamentary Development in Pakistan), conducted a two-day National thematic workshop on “Inter-Provincial Human Trafficking in Pakistan” for the Honorable Members of the Federal and Provincial Assemblies, functionaries of FIA & Provincial Home Departments, from 17th -18th November 2021 at PIPS Campus Islamabad. The Workshop was organized with the objective to sensitize Honourable Members over the status of inter-provincial human trafficking in Pakistan, create awareness over crimes (sex trafficking, prostitution) related to inter-provincial human trafficking, scrutinize existing gasps within the legal framework.
The Programme commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran by Qaari Anees Ur Rehman. Director General, Parliamentary Development Programme and Coordination, PIPS, Ms. Samer Awais, welcomed the Honourable Members, workshop participants, and thanked Honourable member of National Assembly, Ms. Nafeesa Inayat Ullah Khattakh for initiating a workshop on this subject. She further hoped that this workshop will provide a platform to highlight key issues and the importance each stakeholder can play in eliminating crimes pertinent to interprovincial human trafficking. Senior Expert, Legislative Affairs, IP5, Ms. Nadia Batool apprised the participants of core areas of discussion in the two day event, to develop a holistic understanding of the challenges faced by Pakistan with reference to human trafficking, role of law enforcement agencies and effective implementation of the laws.
Key Panelists in the workshop comprised of Former DG FIA, Mr. Tariq Parvez, Civil society activist, Ms. Mossarat Qadeem, Officials from Provincial Home Department, FIA (Federal Investigative Agency) and Legislators concerned with the issue of human trafficking. Outcomes from the workshop included recommendations from the participants based on in-depth discussions that lead to a mutual agreement for a need to constitute a formal framework to address all legal challenges faced in interprovincial human trafficking. The workshop ended with a vote of thanks by PIPS.