Beijing on Friday said that if any organisation or individual commits a crime in Pakistan under the guise of cross-border marriage, China will support Pakistani authorities in cracking down on such activities in accordance with Pakistani law.
In a statement – days after incidents of human smuggling involving Chinese gangs emerged – a spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan said, “We have noted media reports and that the Pakistani side is taking measures in accordance with its domestic laws and regulations. Relevant cases are now under investigation”.
On May 6, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested eight Chinese men involved in trafficking Pakistani girls to China in the guise of marriage and forcing them into prostitution. The arrests were made during a crackdown launched across Punjab.
The spokesperson said, “China’s position on the issue of transnational marriage is very clear, that is to protect legitimate marriages and combat crimes. If any organisation or individual commits a crime in Pakistan under the banner of the cross-border marriage, China supports the Pakistani side to crack down on it according to Pakistani laws.”
“The Ministry of Public Security of China sent a task force to Pakistan to carry out law enforcement cooperation with the Pakistani side. China will further strengthen cooperation with the law enforcement agencies in Pakistan, effectively combat crime, so as to protect the legitimate rights and interests of the two peoples, and jointly safeguard China-Pakistan friendly relations.”
The Chinese spokesperson further claimed that some media reports also fabricated facts and spread rumours and hoped “the people of China and Pakistan do not believe the rumours.”
“According to investigations by the Ministry of Public Security of China, there is no forced prostitution or sale of human organs for those Pakistani women who stay in China after marriage with Chinese. The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan has clarified the rumours by issuing a statement on 13th April. We hope that the media reports should seek truth from facts, be objective and fair.”
According to the spokesperson, China would “never allow a few criminals to undermine China-Pakistan friendship and hurt the friendly feelings between two peoples.”
Another gang busted
The FIA Lahore Zone-I busted another Chinese gang from Lahore’s Johar Town earlier for forcing Pakistan girls into prostitution after promising them a lawful marriage and prosperous future.
Two members of the gangs were Pakistani and 14 Chinese. One of the rescued victims revealed the horrifying details of her exploitation in China. It was revealed that the girls who did not go into prostitution were used for illegal organ transplants.
Nazir Ahmad, the father of one of the victims, registered a complaint with the FIA and told them that how some agents contacted him and lured him into marrying his daughter to a Chinese.
The agents assured Nazir, for a brief period, he would be accompanying his daughter abroad where she would also be allowed to work.
After marrying ‘Musa’, the girl travelled to Islamabad and left for China. After some time, the girl called her father to reveal that the family had been duped.
According to Nazir’s daughter, her husband – who had not converted to Islam – was forcing her into prostitution.
When Nazir contacted the agents, he was told to contact their boss Wei Linping in Islamabad. When he contacted Linping, Nazir was told that the agents had received Rs2 million and he would have to pay the amount to get his daughter back.
Nazir was warned that the girl would be forced into prostitution or illegal organ transplantation if he did not pay the amount.
After the Pakistani High Commission intervened, the victim was recovered. In her appearance before the FIA, she revealed that the den of this gang was located in Johar Town.
SOURCE: Tribune Pakistan
