June 21, 2023
By Maryam Missal
RAWALPINDI/LAHORE
On Tuesday, the Rawalpindi Police in collaboration with the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau (CPWB) arrested one Nazir for allegedly trafficking minors.
According to the CPWB, they received a tipoff on their nationwide helpline from a concerned citizen that three children had escaped a house in Rawalpindi where they were being subjected to forced child labour and physical violence.
CPWB media spokesperson, Waseem Abbas, told Voicepk.net that after receiving the complaint, a rescue team was sent to the scene and recovered the victims. The Bureau initiated legal proceedings, and registered a first information report at the Sadiqabad police station.
Initial investigation led the police to Nazir, who is the father of one of the trafficked children.
Sadiqabad Police Station Rawalpindi confirmed Nazir’s arrest to Voicpk.net, said, “the suspect has confessed to trafficking the minors and further legal proceedings against him are being carried out”.
Regarding the matter of child custody, the court will issue orders to the parents after considering the severity of the matter.
Abbas told Voicepk.net that they hoped to attain custody of the victims as one was the son of the accused and the others were also close relatives.
Chairperson Sarah Ahmed said that every legal action necessary will be taken to protect the children.
“We will continue to identify culprits who subject children to such brutalities,”
she stated.
The process of attaining custody of a child begins when parents submit an application to the court. After the court arrives at a verdict and issues the order, parents are bound to sign an affidavit that ensures that the child will not be forced back into labour, which if violated will invite legal proceedings against them.