Islamabad – In a decisive move to combat human trafficking and protect vulnerable Pakistani migrants, the National Assembly on Tuesday passed three key legislative amendments aimed at strengthening legal action against traffickers and streamlining judicial proceedings.
The bills – Prevention of Trafficking in Persons (Amendment) Bill 2025, Emigration (Amendment) Bill 2025, and Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants (Amendment) Bill 2025 – were presented by Minister for Law and Justice Senator Azam Nazir Tarar. The legislation was introduced in response to a surge in migrant fatalities linked to illegal trafficking networks in recent months.
Speaking in the Assembly, Tarar emphasized that the government had been working closely with key stakeholders for the past two months to amend existing laws – including the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act 2018, Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants Act 2018, and the Emigration Ordinance 1979. The revised laws introduce stricter penalties and procedural changes to ensure swift justice.
Key amendments include increased sentences for human traffickers – from 3-5 years to 7 years, with repeat offenders facing 10-14 years in prison, higher fines – raised from Rs. 0.5 million to Rs. 3-5 million, while repeat offenders will now face fines up to Rs. 10 million along with property confiscation and faster trials – human trafficking cases will now be heard in sessions courts instead of magistrate courts, with clear timelines for case resolution.
Tarar revealed that the government had already launched a nationwide crackdown on human trafficking networks, leading to the arrest of multiple criminals involved in smuggling and exploitation.
During the session, the law minister exposed the shocking tactics used by traffickers to lure migrants. He revealed that smugglers were offering deceptive packages, including a promise to accommodate another family member for free if the first one died during the journey.
“This is a grave humanitarian crisis,” Tarar warned, adding that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is personally overseeing the matter with two high-level meetings every week. Special committees have also been formed, and dozens of traffickers are already behind bars.
Despite the significance of the bills, opposition lawmakers raised objections, staged protests, and even walked out of the session. They also pointed out a lack of quorum, but after a recount, the House was declared in order.
“These bills serve a noble cause and are free from political influence,” Tarar said, expressing disappointment over the opposition’s stance. He insisted that legislation of this magnitude should have been unanimously supported, given the alarming findings from recent investigations.
In addition to the anti-trafficking laws, the National Assembly also passed two more bills including The Civil Courts (Amendment) Bill 2024 and The Pakistan Coast Guards (Amendment) Bill 2024.
Meanwhile, the Civil Servants (Amendment) Bill 2025 was referred to the standing committee for further review. The proposed amendment would require civil servants in BPS-17 to BPS-22 to declare their assets, ensuring greater transparency and accountability.
With these landmark legislative changes, Pakistan has taken a firm stance against human trafficking and illegal migration, ensuring tougher penalties for offenders and stronger protections for vulnerable migrants. The government’s ongoing crackdown on trafficking networks and commitment to swift legal action signal a major shift in addressing the crisis.
