Pakistan, Feb. 19 -- "A drowning man will clutch at a straw." This ancient proverb perfectly captures the heart-wrenching desperation that pushes people into the hands of smugglers who offer nothing but false hope disguised as a way out. Human smuggling isn't just a hidden underworld, it's a harsh reality that threatens global security and puts countless lives at risk.

Imagine a young father in a small village packs a single bag, bids his kids farewell, and hands his life savings to a stranger promising him work abroad. Weeks later, his family hears his name read aloud in a news report about a capsized boat. His children will never see him again. This is not a hypothetical tragedy, it's a story repeating itself daily across the world. Il...