LAHORE: (Friday, July 31, 2026): Punjab University Institute of Social and Cultural Studies (ISCS) in collaboration with the Government of the Punjab, CrossEdge, and Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO), organized a seminar to mark the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons under the theme ‘Trapped Behind the Scam: Human Trafficking for Forced Criminality and Cyber-enabled Financial Fraud.’ On this occasion, PU VC Prof Dr Muhammad Ali, former Health Minister Punjab Dr. Saeed Elahi, Director ISCS Prof. Dr. Farhan Navid Yousaf, Additional Secretary Home and Focal Person TIP, Government of the Punjab Ayesha Mumtaz, representatives from government institutions, law enforcement agencies, civil society, media, legal fraternity, academia, and students were present. The seminar’s aim to raise awareness about emerging forms of human trafficking and the growing exploitation of vulnerable individuals in forced criminality and cyber-enabled financial fraud. In his address, PU VC Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali emphasized the need for collective efforts involving educational institutions, government agencies, law enforcement, civil society, media, and the legal community to combat human trafficking and protect vulnerable populations. Dr. Saeed Elahi followed by an interactive question-and-answer session with participants. Ayesha Mumtaz highlighted government initiatives and interventions to counter trafficking in persons. Assistant Director Investigation, AHTC, FIA Syed Zain ul Abideen spoke on the nexus between trafficking in persons, forced criminality, and cyber-enabled financial fraud. CEO CrossEdge Barrister Haaris Ramzan emphasized the importance of prevention, protection and rehabilitation of trafficking victims. Senior Analyst Salman Abid highlighted the crucial role of media in public awareness and responsible reporting on trafficking-related issues. Finance Secretary Lahore High Court Bar Association Ali Raza Khokhar discussed trafficking as a human rights abuse and the role of the justice system in ensuring accountability and protecting victims. Prof. Dr. Farhan Navid Yousaf underscored the importance of creating awareness among young people about emerging forms of exploitation, particularly those facilitated through digital platforms and deceptive online schemes. He said that seminar provided an important platform for dialogue on the evolving nature of human trafficking and highlighted the need for stronger public awareness, institutional coordination, digital literacy, victim protection, and effective legal mechanisms to address forced criminality and cyber-enabled financial exploitation.