ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday ordered repatriation of an Azerbaijani woman, who stated in her petition that she was illegally trafficked to Pakistan for prostitution in 2011.
Following the court’s proceeding, deputy director immigration of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) issued an exit permit for the petitioner allowing her to leave the country within 15 days.
“It has been decided to grant exit permit to the under mentioned foreign national, if not borne on blacklist/ECL,” the letter stated, adding that the competent authority has waived off overstay charges and authorised the permit for her exit from Pakistan.
During the hearing, a representative from the Edhi Foundation informed the court that Faisal Edhi has expressed willingness to bear her traveling expenses — resident of Baku, Azerbaijan — however, IHC’s single-member bench comprising Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani remarked that it was the state’s responsibility to bear the expenses and directed Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to continue investigation in the matter despite the victim’s repatriation.
Justice Kayani suggested that her statement could be recorded via video link if the need arises during investigation or trial proceedings. Earlier, the court had directed the interior ministry to issue a no objection certificate (NOC) to her so she could return to Azerbaijan.
According to the petition, the victim is a citizen of the Republic of Azerbaijan and is presently residing at a shelter home under the care and administration of the Edhi Welfare Trust. In 2011, she was trafficked from Baku, by an Azerbaijani woman to Islamabad under the pretext of marriage with a Pakistani man.
She stated in her petition that this woman handed her over to another woman, who confiscated her travel documents and took her to a brothel where she was coerced into prostitution; she remained there for three years under strict supervision. After three years, she was sold for Rs100,000 to another Azerbaijani woman, owner of a brothel in Karachi.
Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2020
