DERA GHAZI KHAN, June 6: A child jockey recovered from Abu Dhabi, whose brother had died during a camel race there, is still in the government custody despite passage of six months. The parents of the recovered boy, Murtaza, have approached Mr Ansar Burni, a rights activist, to seek his help for the recovery of their son on Monday.

Murtaza’s brother Kaleem had died during a camel race in Abu Dhabi, whose body was brought back to Pakistan on October 13, 2004

Soon after, Murtaza was also brought back by the Pakistan government and Federal Minister Tariq Azeem claimed credit for his safe return appearing on state television, but even after passing of six months the boy could not be handed over to his parents in Dera Ghazi Khan.

Mr Burni assured the couple that the boy would be soon recovered from the government’s custody or he would move the court for the purpose.

Talking to Dawn Mr Burni claimed that his welfare trust had helped recover at least 250 Pakistani children from Abu Dhabi from the custody of Sheikhs, who used them in camel races as jockeys. Now these children were living at a rehabilitation centre of the ABWTI in Dubai and would start arriving here from June 16, he added.

He claimed that at least 6,000 children were being used as jockeys in Abu Dhabi, most of whom belonged to Pakistan and Bangladesh.