The Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development on Friday stressed for stringent checks on all borders, especially the Iran-Pakistan border that is most vulnerable due to its porous nature.

The committee met with Senator Hilal-ur-Rehman in the chair here on Friday and discussed in detail job opportunities for skilled labor in Japan, human trafficking cases referred by M/o Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development to M/o Foreign Affairs on Jungle Migrants Camp at Vucjak site, Bosnia, Wajahat Butt's imprisonment at Liwa Detention Camp, Guangzhou and non-payment of allowances to PIA employees at Damam Airport, Saudi Arabia.

Deliberating over details of the Jungle Migrants Camp at Vucjak, Bosnia, the committee stressed the need for sensitization of Pakistani citizens of the pros and cons of such escapades. Stringent checks on all outland channels were stressed, especially the Iran-Pakistan border that is most vulnerable due to its porous nature.

The meeting was given a briefing on the status of a Pakistani detainee, Wajahat Butt, at Liwan Detention Centre, Guangzhou, China, and steps taken for his release.

The committee was informed that the Chinese authorities demanded Rs 8 million for an out of court settlement. The committee stressed that all-out efforts must be made to protect his life and that the government must ensure funds for his release. The committee was informed that as per policy, the government did not provide funds for overseas residents indicted in crime. However, help from organizations such as the Pak-China Institute and NGOs must be sought.

Taking up the case of Zahir Shah, employee of PIA at Damam Airport, Saudi Arabia, the committee was informed that he had been serving single-handedly since 2013 at this station, working late hours and on holidays for which not a single dime in allowances had been paid.