Lahore, Punjab University’s Institute of Social and Cultural Studies (ISCS) has partnered with the Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO) to introduce the first-ever course on migration in Pakistan. This initiative aims to promote safe and legal migration practices while combating human trafficking and smuggling. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by Dr. Rubeena Zakar, Director of ISCS, and Syed Kausar Abbas, Executive Director of SSDO, marking a significant step towards addressing migration issues in the country.
According to University of The Punjab, the collaboration between ISCS and SSDO seeks to develop youth capacity on a wide array of issues including trafficking in persons, bonded labor, child protection, safe migration, environmental change, countering extremism, and drug trafficking in educational institutions. Dr. Rubeena Zakar highlighted the institute’s commitment to working with all relevant stakeholders and civil society organizations to engage youth in societal development actively.
The course, titled ‘Introduction to Migration,’ aims to educate the youth on the legalities and processes of migration, addressing the vulnerability and lack of awareness among Pakistan’s young population. Syed Kausar Abbas emphasized the necessity of such education to combat the challenges of human smuggling and trafficking effectively.
This pioneering curriculum is a part of a broader strategy to enhance migration knowledge across the country. With the launch of ‘The Migration Optics’ portal by SSDO, the initiative also includes providing accessible information on safe migration practices. The course is planned to be expanded to other educational institutions in Punjab’s hotspot districts, followed by a nationwide advocacy campaign to incorporate this crucial subject into the academic syllabi.
The initiative comes in response to the increasing trend of irregular migration from Pakistan, highlighting the need for massive awareness campaigns and the dissemination of information on safe and regular migration channels.