FIA, ICMPD hold awareness seminar on human trafficking at University of Sargodha

SARGODHA: The Federal Investigation Agency, in collaboration with the Migrant Resource Centre Lahore of the International Centre for Migration Policy Development, organised an awareness seminar at the University of Sargodha under the university’s Research Arena 2025 initiative to educate students about the dangers of human trafficking and irregular migration.

The seminar focused on promoting safe and legal pathways for education, employment and international mobility, with an emphasis on protecting young people from exploitation by criminal networks.

Deputy Director FIA Mehmood Ali Khokhar briefed participants on the agency’s ongoing initiatives to combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling. He stressed the importance of awareness among youth and the role of technical education in preventing exploitation through fraudulent job offers and illegal migration schemes.

Senior Counsellor at the Migrant Resource Centre Lahore Shahzia Rafique highlighted legal migration pathways, particularly international scholarship opportunities. She guided students on identifying authentic, merit-based educational options abroad and outlined employment-related guidance services offered by the MRC. She urged students to verify all foreign job and education offers through official and authorised channels before making any commitments.

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Representatives from the Punjab Job Center of the Labour and Human Resource Department also took part in the seminar. Program Manager Sheikh Inam Ullah briefed students on government-supported employment services and job-matching facilities, while Social Media Expert Tayyab Riaz explained how to access reliable information through digital platforms and detailed the registration process for the Punjab Job Portal.

Students actively participated in an interactive question-and-answer session and pledged to share the information within their academic and community circles. The seminar concluded with a reaffirmation of the FIA’s commitment to building an informed and vigilant youth capable of resisting human trafficking and irregular migration.