1. Trafficking of Human Beings in Pakistan and Role of Media

2. Human Trafficking in Pakistan
Pakistan is a destination, transit, and source country for forced labor, sex trafficking
Pakistan is placed on Tier 2 Watch List for human trafficking for the third consecutive year. (2016 Trafficking in Persons Report)  
Pakistani nationals are among the ten most-detected nationalities that attempt irregular migration to the European Union (EU) and Australia

3. Issues of Concern Trafficking of human beings across borders
Internal Trafficking of men, women & Children
Child trafficking & extremism
Illegal labor agents
Non- Availability of data & statistics

4. Government Efforts
National strategic framework against trafficking in persons and human smuggling approved
The federal government and Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces passed trafficking-related legislation 
Reports an increase in the number of victims provided shelter in 2015 compared with 2014
In year 2016 , for the first time the issue of trafficking was highlighted in the national action plan for human rights, Pakistan. Thus national commission on Human rights was formed providing a forum for discuss trafficking issue and accept cases to file the issue related to Trafficking Human Beings

5. Challenges
Weak implementation of laws and overall number of convictions of traffickers were inadequate
The government only reported seven convictions for bonded labor in 2015
The government does not prohibit and penalize all forms of human trafficking
Prescribed penalties for forced labor & Trafficking are not sufficiently stringent to deter the crime
Government support to establish NRM mechanism is very weak.
Victims & their families suffer economically, physically psychologically

6. Media responsibilities:
Sensitization and awareness about the gravity of the issues
Expose gaps in implementation and service delivery
Draw attention of public, law enforcement authorities and service providers to the misery of victims
Highlight best practices and success stories

7. Facts about Pakistani media
Around 150 FM radio stations
Around 90 privately owned TV stations.
Around 2000 dailies, weeklies and monthlies
Nearly 18 per cent uses internet
Blogging has become an important part of political life in Pakistan, and has opened a broad new avenue for self-expression

8. Is media taking interest at all?
Not Sufficient
Security and political issues dominate the media space
Lack of professional training to cover human rights issues
Lack of sensitization among reporters and desk
Link between media and civil society is missing

9. Media and trafficking issues
Lack of sensitivity & technical knowledge on terms and processes
Identification of trafficking aspects
Lack of access to law enforcement officials and victims
Lack of focus on human angle
Lack of journalist protection
Mindsets and perception

10. How development sector can contribute
Share authentic information
Training & sensitization of media personals
Connecting to victims and institutions
Traditional ways vs fellowships
Research studies needs to be conducted
Synergies among academic institutions, NGOs, government authorities, Bar Councils and MEDIA is needed