Islamabad, At the International Conference on Combating Trafficking and Bonded Labor of Women and Girls in Pakistan, U.S. Ambassador Donald Blome underscored the grave issue of human trafficking as an appalling crime impacting millions globally, including in Pakistan and the United States. The conference, highlighted by the involvement of the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN), serves as a pivotal platform for addressing the transnational crime of human trafficking, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to combat this crisis.
According to Embassy of The United States of America, Ambassador Blome praised the efforts of PUAN members across Pakistan, recognizing their significant contributions to various sectors, including the fight against human trafficking. The Ambassador pointed out the hidden nature of this crime, with an estimated 27.6 million people worldwide falling victim to human trafficking, including a considerable number of women and children. He stressed the importance of moving beyond statistics to understand the survivors’ experiences and the necessity of stakeholder collaboration in combating this issue.
The conference featured poignant testimonies from trafficking survivors and insights from experts in the field. Ansa Noreen, a trafficking survivor and American expert, shared her harrowing journey and transformation into an advocate for victims. Joseph Salavarria, a retired Special Agent with over two decades of experience in human trafficking investigations, emphasized the critical role of collaboration across sectors to address this global crime effectively.
Ambassador Blome outlined the U.S.’s approach to combating human trafficking through the “3P” paradigm—prosecution, protection, and prevention—complemented by a fourth “P” for partnership. He highlighted the U.S. Embassy’s grant program with the Sustainable Social Development Organization as an example of successful public and civil society partnership, demonstrating the power of collective action in raising awareness and developing solutions.
The Ambassador’s remarks reiterated the broader societal impacts of human trafficking, including its erosion of the rule of law, community safety, border security, and economic strength. He called for united efforts across government, business, and civil society to build a more equitable world and expressed the U.S. Government’s commitment to supporting Pakistan in its efforts against this critical human rights issue.
The conference aims to foster partnerships and explore opportunities for collaboration, enhancing awareness, strengthening Pakistan’s capacity to combat trafficking, and sharing best practices in supporting and protecting survivors.