ISLAMABAD, June 10: The prevailing abject poverty and instability/weakening of political structures in the country are main causes of human trafficking, says a report.
The report, on “Trafficking of Women and Children in South Asia and Within Pakistan”, prepared by Lawyers for Human Rights and Legal Aid (LHRLA), an NGO, was launched on Monday.
Speaking as a chief guest on the occasion Interior Minister Lt-Gen (Rtd) Moin Haider said an ordinance to curb human-trafficking would be in place by the end of July.
The draft ordinance, known as “Prevention and Control of Human Trafficking Ordinance” had already been sent to the ministries of women development, law and interior to solicit their comments.
He said a punishment of up to 14 years and fine of Rs2 million have been stipulated in the ordinance and he was hopeful that it (ordinance) would do well to check this evil.
The minister was of the view that although the ordinance would be in place by the end of next month but he added “we the people of Pakistan hardly accept new laws which needs immediate concern on the part of entire nation”.
Besides, the enactment of this new law, the minister said the law enforcement agencies of the country particularly Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) was being strengthened on a par with international standards in order to fight against this crime.
“The ministry of interior is inducting computer literate women officers in the FIA to fight against women trafficking in the country”. It would also introduce new passports of international standards that would help reduce aliens’ entry into the country.
Similarly, the ministry had also planned to set up computer equipped checking systems at all 18 entry points of the country to filter out culprits involved in the crime.
“In this regard, we had requested Nadra to help us identify citizens and those unwanted elements involved in the peddling of women and children to various destinations, particularly to the Middle East for camel race”, the minister said.
Dr Khalida Ghaus who spearheaded the study with the financial help of Canadian Investment Development Agency (CIDA) said, exploitative customary practices, weakening of civil society, economic instability and discriminatory laws were some other factors that caused people to involve themselves in this crime.
The minister for social welfare and women, Punjab Shaheen Attique Rehman who was also present on the occasion agreed that poverty was the major source behind human trafficking in south Asia.
She said, 40,000 counsellors in the local government would definitely help the government in its endeavour to fight against this menace.
President LHRLA, Mr Zia Awan appreciated the concern showed by the government towards this problem.
He informed the people attending the ceremony that to this date LHRLA has help release more than 5,000 people from the jail, mostly women and children.
AGENCIES ADDS: The LHRLA also showed videos comprising interviews of trafficked children who were later recovered.
Canadian High Commissioner Konred Siguordsorn lauded the work of LHRLA and said NGOs should raise their voice in the International Community to ban the camel race. He said many children died during these races.
Different NGOs from all over the country, diplomats and large number of people attended the launching ceremony.