Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) in the country have arrested more than 6,835 persons allegedly involved in illegal human trafficking during the last four years.
As per data, 1642 smugglers or traffickers were arrested in 2008, 1775 in 2009, 1779 in 2010 and 1639 were apprehended during 2011. In addition, 1,842 Proclaimed Offenders (POs) were also nabbed during the period with 376 arrests in 2008, 441 in 2009, 522 in 2010 and 503 POs in 2011.
An official source on Friday said 507 Court Absconders (COs) were also arrested during the last four years with year wise details of 77 in 2008, 54 in 2009, 200 in 2010 and 176 in 2011.
He said thanks to steps taken by Ministry of Interior and introduction of different methods that Pakistan got upgraded from Tier-II Watch List to Tier-II in Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP Report) published by US State Department and maintained the same status during 2011 whereby 188 countries around the global were categorized. This report has direct impact on US and UN financial aid. He said the Agency was giving priority to control the illegal human trafficking in the country and in this regard it had successfully launched Integrated Border Management System (IBMS) at Islamabad and Peshawar airports.
The other measures were installation of Edison System at major airports through Australian High Commission, creation of Immigration Intelligence Unit (IIU) in collaboration with UK, creation of Transnational Crime Unit (TCU) with collaboration of Australia. He said all these measures have helped drastic reduction in number of Deportees on Fake Documents (DFDs). The official said traffic handled at airports during the last four years was 34.5 million, of which 7.8 million in 2008, 8.2 million in 2009, 8.7 million in 2010 and 9.8 million traffic was handled during 2011.
During the period, 2114 persons were Off-loaded On Fake Documents (OFDs) with details including 572 in 2008, 669 in 2009, 504 in 2010 and 369 in 2011 while the number of Deportees on Fake Documents (DFDs-A Category) was 56 in 2008, 31 in 2009, 37 in 2010 and 15 in 2011. The number of Deportees on Fake Documents during the period in Category B was 52 in 2008, 43 in 2009, 42 in 2010 and 20 in 2011.
Giving further details, the official said 15,213 persons were convicted with details including 4641 persons in 2008, 4396 in 2009, 3115 in 2010 and 2861 persons were convicted during 2011. He said Human Trafficking Information System (HUTIS) is very much beneficial since its establishment at main Anti Human Trafficking Circles (AHTCs) for entering detail of Human Traffickers. As per information provided by the HUTIS at FIA, Headquarters, 1793 Human Traffickers have been included with details.
ICT kicks off campaign against smoking: District Administration has launched month-long public awareness campaign against smoking at public places and to mobilize all the stakeholders about hazards of tobacco use as well as implementation of Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-Smokers Health Ordinance, 2002 in Islamabad. District implementation and monitoring committee has been constituted to monitor the progress of implementation of anti-smoking law and to review the progress of the campaign on monthly basis. The committee would be consisting officials of Tobacco Control Cell, Secretary, Islamabad Transport Authority (ITA), Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP), Capital Development Authority, Custom Services, District Health Department, Islamabad and Federal Directorate of Education. All the stakeholders including traders community, hotels and restaurants owners, representatives of bar associations and chambers of commerce and industries, heads of educational institutions would also be taken on board during this campaign and meetings would be held with them seeking their co-operation to this effect.
