KABUL - The fourth technical meeting of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) concluded in Kabul on Saturday with the adaptation of a six-point agreement on preventing human trafficking in member states. The two-day meeting, which discussed measures to combat human trafficking and ensure the welfare of woman and children, was attended by representatives from Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, as well international organizations.

Under the agreement, member states will work to control trafficking in women and children and enhance public awareness on the issue. A toll-free telephone number will be installed in member states as part of efforts at curbing the menace.

Under the agreement, each member will appoint two representatives to the SAARC Secretariat for implementation of the project.
Addressing the concluding session, Deputy Minister of Labour, Social, Martyr and Disabled Affairs Wasil Noor Mohmand hoped the human trafficking problem would be addressed with implementation of the agreement.

The technical session decided the next meeting would be held in Bhutan in April 2012, Mohmand said.
Human trafficking and kidnapping of women and children were a serious threat that needed to be warded off, Minister of Labour, Social, Martyr and Disabled Affairs Amina Afzali had told the opening session on Friday.
As many as 12.7 million women, children and other people were smuggled across the world every year, she said, adding 5,000 people were kidnapped in Afghanistan over the past five years.