The United State has honoured a Pakistani officer, Zaheer Ahmed, with a prestigious in recognition of his tireless efforts to curb human trafficking. Zaheer Ahmed, who is currently serving as Deputy Inspector General in Pakistan’s Police Service, and previously served as Director of the Federal Investigative Agency’s (FIA) Anti-Human Smuggling Unit, was bestowed with the 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report Hero award at a ceremony. US State Secretary Antony Blinken presented the awards to eight recipients, including Mr Ahmed. The TIP report is released by the US annually.

Through the tireless efforts of his Anti-Human Smuggling Unit, Mr. Ahmed helped drive the modernization of Pakistan’s anti-trafficking and anti-smuggling laws and the formulation and implementation of a National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling. His team’s efforts laid the groundwork for the Federal Cabinet’s approval in 2021 of bylaws to the 2018 laws on human trafficking and migrant smuggling. This important work contributed to the effective implementation of the groundbreaking legislation.

He leveraged his engagement across Pakistan’s federal and provincial bureaucracies to lobby successfully for Pakistan’s ratification of the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, which Pakistan acceded to in November 2022. Mr. Ahmed significantly improved coordination and cooperation between law enforcement and civil society organizations, which enhanced understanding and support for trafficking victims. Ahmed was also instrumental in developing data collection mechanisms and analysis of trafficking in persons data from all stakeholders.

Through his sustained efforts to collaborate with civil society and international organizations, Mr. Ahmed has shown the importance of working with various stakeholders when investing resources in anti-trafficking policies and programs, as well as the impressive results that can be generated by law enforcement stakeholders’ dedication to combating trafficking in persons.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-INP