Karachi (HRNW) — The Sindh High Court has rejected the bail applications of two accused allegedly involved in trafficking women abroad, in a case relating to human trafficking from Pakistan. The two men were arrested by the FIA’s Human Trafficking Cell during a raid at a private hotel in Saddar, where at least one woman was also recovered.
According to Deputy Attorney General of Pakistan Khaliq Ahmed, the recovered women had been brought to the hotel on the false promise of employment, and the plan was to smuggle them out of the country. He informed the court that the law on human trafficking has been amended and the offence now carries a sentence of up to 14 years’ imprisonment. Khaliq Ahmed added that defence counsel for the accused failed to effectively challenge even a single piece of the prosecution’s evidence. The statements of the recovered women were recorded and they were allowed to leave afterwards, while both accused had already had their bail rejected earlier by the trial court as well.
human-rights angle
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Luring women with job offers and then attempting to smuggle them abroad is not only a serious criminal offence but also a clear violation of fundamental human rights, including the right to dignity, freedom of movement, and protection from exploitation and modern slavery.
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The refusal of bail in a serious trafficking case signals that the justice system is treating such crimes with gravity, but it must be matched by strong victim protection measures: safe shelters, psychosocial support, legal aid, and long-term rehabilitation so that survivors are not re-victimised or pushed back into risky situations.
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disclaimer
This report is based on courtroom submissions and the prosecution’s account as summarised in proceedings. The full and final determination of the facts, evidence and guilt or innocence of the accused will be made by the competent courts in their detailed judgments. For the most up-to-date and authoritative legal position, readers should consult official court records and statements from the relevant institutions.
