ISLAMABAD, April 08 (DNA): The UNODC Country Office in Pakistan on Friday signed a one year project with the Australian Government aimed at strengthening responses to human trafficking and migrant smuggling in Pakistan.

The project will be implemented under the UNODC Country Programme for Pakistan (2016-2019) with financial support of approximately USD550, 000 provided by the Australian Government.

Cesar Guedes, UNODC Country Office Representative in Pakistan, highlighted the importance of building the capacity of law enforcement agencies in Pakistan to detect effectively and disrupt trafficking and smuggling networks that are financially benefitting criminal syndicates and causing untold suffering.

This project would enable the UNODC to further raise awareness amongst vulnerable populations and protect individuals, especially women and children, from becoming victims.

The Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Margaret Adamson, said the Australian Government was pleased to work with the Government of Pakistan, through the UNODC, in strengthening border controls and combatting transnational crimes including people smuggling and human trafficking.  Ms Adamson stressed that these were issues of global concern requiring a strong, coordinated response. This project demonstrates the commitment of all three partners to addressing the scourge of transnational crime.

Guedes added that the presence of senior law enforcement officer from the Federal Investigation Agency on the occasion signals Government of Pakistan’s strong commitment to overcome the challenges posed by irregular migration.

The UNODC Office in Pakistan will implement the project in collaboration with the Federal Investigation Agency over the next 12 months.=DNA