Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Karachi (Agenzia Fides) - So far this year a sharp increase in human being trafficking in the Pakistani province of Sindh has been registered, and the trend may continue, unless authorities do not intervene promptly. According to the head of Ong Madadgaar Helpline, which deals with women and children victims of abuse and human trafficking, in the first two months of 2012 190 cases were registered. In 2011 cases were around 288. The families receive money in exchange for their children. Traffickers take women and children from villages with the promise to get them to work in the city. Once a certain sum is paid, these criminals exploit the victims and treat them like slaves. Most come from Bangladesh and Afghanistan, where poverty and conflict have made it difficult for people to meet their basic needs. According to sources of the Ministry for Human Rights of Sindh, poverty forces people to give away their children. In big cities like Karachi, Hyderabad, Larkana, there are children under 5 years exploited as servants, despite the country's Constitution which guarantees the protection of minors. After the floods of 2010 and 2011, poverty has increased in the province of Sindh, and many families who depend on agriculture have had no choice but to send their children to large cities. According to a 2011 report by the U.S. Department for Human Being Trafficking, Pakistan is a country of transit as well as a destination for victims of trafficking. The main problem is related to forced labor, mainly in Sindh and Punjab, widely used in brick, carpet, agriculture, fishing, mining, leather industry and the production of glass bangles. The data of the International Labour Organization report that each year throughout the world, 12 million people are victims of trafficking. About 70% are women under 25 years of age. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 27/3/2012)
