ISLAMABAD, NOV 6 /DNA/ – Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Muhammad Ali Randhawa, held a meeting with the FIA’s Director of the Anti-Human Smuggling Wing, Saqib Sultan Mehmood to address the issues related to Trafficking in Persons (TIP) while the officers from ICT departments also attended it. The meeting focused on a way forward outlining critical targets and areas of concern to combat trafficking in person within the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT).

During the meeting, Chairman CDA and Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Muhammad Ali Randhawa was briefed on the findings and recommendations of the recent Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report 2024 published by the U.S. Department of State. The FIA Director of Anti-Human Smuggling Wing underscored the importance of proactive, coordinated efforts at all levels to safeguard Pakistan’s standing on the international front. He apprised that the immediate steps are required to avoid placement Pakistan on the TIP Watch List.

Chairman CDA and Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Muhammad Ali Randhawa reiterated to address all forms of trafficking in persons including forced begging and bonded labor etc. He further directed the immediate convening of the District Vigilance Committee for ICT in order to implement the recommendations of TIP report. He further directed the relevant ICT departments to ensure that data and related information on TIP cases such as those related to sexual exploitation, forced and bonded labor, and forced begging etc are gathered and shared with Anti-Human Smuggling Wing of FIA.

The meeting emphasized the importance of TIP-related training and capacity building for the concerned departments and need for the awareness campaigns and outreach to better inform the public and the measures to combat it. It further highlighted that the collective efforts from all relevant stakeholders are required to ensure that trafficking cases are fully investigated, prosecuted, and lead to convictions. The data collection efforts must include detailed information on case registrations, prosecutions, and convictions, as well as updates on victims’ referrals to social services.

This meeting ends with the resolve to combat TIP cases with prime focus on prosecution, protection and prevention.