Transnational Crimes and Human Trafficking: A Study of Humanitarian Crisis on Pak-Afghan Border

Abstract

In the era of globalization, war has become a part of history, while, cooperation is the
new normal and the state’s grand strategy. In developing countries, the continuum
execution of military operations, low standards of socio-economic conditions for
natives/ migrants, natural calamities, and complex forces against border security
provide a conducive environment for the heinous expansion of human traffickers.
Globally, Afghanistan and Pakistan have consistently maintained their higher ranking in
global slavery index due to vulnerable security situation. Since 9/11 attacks have
promoted socio-economic problems and challenged the peace-building efforts in
Afghanistan. The study aims to explore the deep linkages of the rising threat of human
trafficking and its consequences for both countries. This study elucidates that the
fluctuations in building trust and conflicting national interests impeded the
development of peaceful consensus on the regularization of the Pak-Afghan border,
and; it has caused serious threats to the human security of both nationals. It also
provides a cushion in the proliferation of human smugglers. This qualitative study
involved a phenomenological approach for primary data collection while analysis is
done via narrative and content analysis method.