HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in monetary discontent and absence of opportunities, are forced into scenarios that put their safety in peril. The recent horror show of trafficking saw smugglers cash in on Pakistani immigrants, desperate to reach Europe via Iran, with an extra layer of cruelty — kidnapping for ransom. Some 10 citizens were abducted and brutalised, one was released after a payment of Rs10m and the Iranian police rescued two others. During the past months, three episodes of gangs assaulting and imprisoning Pakistanis have come to light. While a few victims have paid their way out, others have been saved by Iranian law enforcers and the Pakistani embassy. The FIA, which is tasked to tighten the screws on smugglers, also acknowledged that the vicious trend, perpetrated by local groups and their foreign collaborators, has gathered steam in recent months. The US State Department’s 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report: Pakistan noted that the Pakistan government “reported identifying 35,309 trafficking victims, compared with 21,253 trafficking victims in 2021”.

While human trafficking should stir the public’s ire, the state’s lackadaisical approach to evolving a comprehensive plan that takes aim at the root causes of this ghastly crime has raised concerns of institutional corruption and political patronage. Equally appalling is our inability to cultivate an environment that prioritises socioeconomic rehabilitation, shelter and mental help for survivors. We cannot be saved from rampant depravity unless security agencies synchronise their efforts to deracinate such syndicates. Moreover, the enabling tool of education assures individual and community safety. But, enforcement attempts can only succeed with greater awareness about the hotline to report trafficking cases, vigilant monitoring at all air, sea and land routes and witness protection programmes as those who are cognisant of the torture tactics, stay away from lodging complaints. Pakistan should work with its neighbours to choke this curse.

Published in Dawn, March 28th, 2024