UAE says will sign agreement with Pakistan to partner against human trafficking

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates are discussing an agreement to combat human trafficking, UAE’s ambassador to Islamabad said on Monday, in an initiative to be spearheaded by Pakistan’s human rights ministry and UAE’s official Ewaa Shelters program.
The United Arab Emirates is seeking to collaborate with Pakistan against human trafficking and announced its government’s support for victims at a symposium titled “Standing together to support victims of Human Trafficking,” organized by the UAE embassy at Islamabad’s Mariott hotel on Monday. 
“There is a proposal for an agreement between the two governments,” Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Al Zaabi, UAE Ambassador to Pakistan, told Arab News. “This is the first step at this symposium, to start and sign a memorandum of understanding.” 
Human rights minister Shireen Mazari is away on an overseas tour but National Health Services Minister Aamer Mehmood Kiani, present at the symposium, said she would answer questions about the proposed agreement on her return.
“There are a lot of international and human rights pressures on Pakistan as well as the UAE,” Kiani said. “They have done a good job to meet those expectations. They are more focused and we have to look after our people as well.”
During his keynote address at the symposium, Ahmed Abdul Rahman Al Jarman, the deputy head of the UAE’s national committee to combat human trafficking, said the UAE was committed to combating human trafficking. He said the country had taken strict measures toward the prevention of trade in people and to prosecute traffickers by working with international organizations and several countries.
“We are looking closely to working with the government of Pakistan,” Jarman said. “We are looking forward to signing an agreement with Pakistan.” 
He said the UAE had developed an understanding with nations in Asia most affected by human trafficking and could share its experience and expertise with Pakistan to help improve identification and prevention.