In the midst of Pakistan’s severe economic turmoil, disturbing news about human trafficking has emerged. According to the Pakistani news site Dawn, the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis has been informed that an increasing number of beggars from Pakistan are traveling abroad, fueling “human trafficking.” Overseas Ministry Secretary Zulfikar Haider revealed this information at a Senate panel discussion on the problem of skilled and unskilled labor migration from Pakistan, according to Dawn.
According to Mr Haider, the problem of “human trafficking” is worsening as more Pakistani beggars move abroad. He revealed that these beggars frequently use pilgrim visas to reach countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Iraq. He also mentioned the growing trend of beggars traveling to Japan from Pakistan on flights bound for overseas locations.
The majority of pickpockets apprehended inside holy sites are also Pakistanis
He went on to say that the majority of pickpockets apprehended inside holy sites such as Haram are also Pakistanis. Beggars typically travel on Umrah visas and do not have employment visas, according to The Nation. According to him, Japan has emerged as a new destination for such people.
He stated that skilled laborers are increasingly preferred over unskilled workers in Saudi Arabia. Senator Rana Mehmoodul Hasan emphasized Japan’s need for skilled employees is fulfilled from a variety of nations, with India, Nepal, and Pakistan offering varying amounts of people. He also called attention to Pakistan’s approximately 50,000 unemployed engineers.
Senator Hasan remarked that there are around three million Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia, 1.5 million in the UAE, and approximately 200,000 in Qatar when discussing the Middle East. Given the current severe economic crisis, Mr Haider recommended coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant organizations to assist Pakistani engineers in seeking work prospects abroad in nations such as Japan and China.
Furthermore, he acknowledged the desperation among highly qualified individuals in Pakistan, who are currently willing to accept monthly incomes ranging from 15,000 to 20,000 rupees. Senator Zeeshan Khanzada reiterated Senator Mahmood’s sentiments, emphasizing the Pakistani people’s tremendous desperation, with some even willing to pay large sums for employment permits due to rampant inflation and recession.