Federal Minister for Culture Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan Jogezai has asked for report regarding human trafficking | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Federal Minister for Culture Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan Jogezai has asked for report regarding human trafficking

Federal Minister for Culture Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan Jogezai has asked for report regarding human trafficking through cultural troupes and persons involved in the heinous crime.

During a meeting with Federal Minister for Human Rights, Ansar Burney here, Jogezai said that in the past young and innocent girls were sent abroad in the name of cultural troupe and were forced to get involved in anti-social activities.

In this regard, the authorities concerned have been directed that Pakistani cultural troupe visiting out of country should be made mandatory that all the members of the team to return back to the country after their artistic performance abroad.

Both the ministers expressed their grave concern over the human trafficking issue and took serious notice of the situation and said that the persons involved in such practices should be dealt and punished according to the law of the land.

The Minister for Human Rights Ansar Burney told the minister that in the name of cultural troupe, amateur male and females are smuggled and they are forced to work as a bondage labour and other immoral activities.

He further said that seven month ago a girl named Sobia was taken to Dubai and she was left alone there while the culprits are demanding Rs0.5 million now as ransom from her parents. Ansar Burney on the occasion appreciated the culture minister for taking anti-human trafficking measures, which have started producing results and the human smuggling has declined.

Jogezai has also directed that such troupe visiting abroad for performance, the immigration authorities should make sure that the number of troupe members should return back to the country.
Source: The News
Date:1/28/2008