Detained in Bosnian camp: Government urged to ensure safe return of 4,000 Pakistanis

A parliamentary panel has directed the government to ensure safe return of 4,000 Pakistanis languishing in a detention camp in Bosnia and take serious action against people involved in human trafficking.

These directions were passed by the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development which met here on Friday under the chairmanship of Senator Hilal-ur-Rehman.

The participants discussed in detail issues of licensing of Overseas Employment Promoters (OEPs), rejection of Pakistani postgraduate medical degrees in Saudi Arabia, human trafficking cases forwarded to FIA by the ministry and Pakistan Real Estate Investment and Management Company Private Limited. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also provided details of persons detained at a makeshift forest camp at Vuejak in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Discussing details of the issue of detained Pakistanis, the committee was informed that most of these migrants did not wish to return. However, International Organization for Migration (IOM) ensures the return of those who voluntarily opt to come back.

The committee directed the ministry to contact the Bosnian Embassy and check what can be done to bring back all Pakistanis who wish to return. Chairman committee, Senator Rehman recommended a telephonic update on this matter by Tuesday. The total number of migrants in this camp is 10,000 and out of them 4,000 are Pakistani nationals.

While taking up the issue of issuance of licenses for overseas employment, the committee was informed that at present there are more than 2,246 overseas employment promoters (OEPs) in the country.

The OEPs' licenses are renewed based on their performance and as per given criteria. Reasons for cancellation include extracting money from intending emigrants for overseas jobs, non-resolution of emigrants' complaints, misconduct or violation of Emigration Ordinance and fake overseas manpower demand.

The panel asked the relevant quarters to start a mass awareness campaign to educate the migrants of their rights inside and outside the country, especially in the countries where a large number of Pakistanis are traveling. The panel said such a mass campaign must be pursued to ensure that all emigrants are aware of their rights and they know whom to contact in time of need.

While taking up the issue of human trafficking, the committee directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) that it would like details about the 400 referred cases of human trafficking. It directed that details must be submitted to the committee by Monday and that the relevant officer must sit together with additional director general or director general FIA and must formulate a mechanism for this purpose.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019