The Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Qamar Zaman Kaira has expressed government's resolve to eliminate the illegal practice of bonded labour from the country, and to take appropriate steps on emergent basis, for nabbing the persons involved in this cruel and inhuman act.
He said that bonded labour was a grave violation of basic human rights and that this social vice was neither permissible under the Constitution of Pakistan nor under any law in force anywhere in the world, yet some people, who were not familiar with the teachings of Islam or are devoid of human kindness, indulged in this cruel practice.
The Information Minister was addressing a workshop on the 'Role of the Parliamentarians in the Eradication of Bonded Labour from Pakistan' which was organised by International Labour Organisation (ILO) to highlight the social hazards of the scourge of bonded labour. He said that one cannot deny the fact that hundred and thousands of people were deprived of their fundamental rights in Pakistan.
However, the present government is determined to redeem the basic rights and liberties of bonded labour on an emergent basis. Najm-ud-din Khan, Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions said that in keeping with the provisions of the Constitution and the law of the land, the government would bring to book all persons involved in committing the heinous crime of bonded labour and eliminate this scourge from the country.
Hameed ullah Jan Afridi said that the Constitution of Pakistan recognised the right of freedom of every individual to enter into any licit vocation, business and trade. He said that the constitution guaranteed freedom, basic rights and justice to every citizen, whereas under the 1992 Act bonded labour was prohibited in any form and shape. Therefore, people who engage the poor in bonded labour deserved to be punished.
In collaboration with the law enforcement agencies, he said, the government is playing a leading role to curb the scourge of bonded labour. He emphasised on the role of parliamentarians to highlight this issue in the parliament. MNA Marvi Memon on the occasion said that lack of fundamental rights compelled a segment of the society to commit suicide or kill their wife and children, negatively impacting the law and order situation in the country.-PR