The Foreign Office Saturday said that relevant Pakistani authorities are in close touch with their Chinese counterparts on the issue of alleged involvement of Chinese nationals in human trafficking and advised media to avoid sensationalisation and report on sensitive matters only on the basis of established facts. Responding to media queries regarding law enforcement action on incidents involving Chinese and Pakistani nationals in the alleged human trafficking on the pretext of fake marriages, Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal stated that the relevant authorities from both governments
are in close contact on this issue.
He said that the government of China has offered all possible cooperation on the issue, which is highly appreciated. Both sides are closely coordinating their efforts. In this context, a Chinese team visited Pakistan recently and held meetings with Pakistani law enforcement officials, he added. He said that Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Pakistan Missions in China are closely monitoring the situation and extending all possible assistance to Pakistani citizens who may have any complaints on the subject.
"We have noted the statement by the Chinese Embassy referring to investigation by the Chinese Ministry of Public Security on the issue. According to this investigation, there is no forced prostitution or sale of human organs of Pakistani women who stay in China after marriage with Chinese nationals," the spokesperson said endorsing the Friday statement of Chinese Embassy in Islamabad. "In light of the aforementioned statement, it is essential to avoid sensationalisation and report on sensitive matters only on the basis of established facts," Dr Faisal insisted.
He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, all other relevant departments of the government and the concerned Chinese authorities will continue to coordinate on the matter to address the grievances of the affected individuals, bring the culprits to justice, and ensure that such incidents do not recur in future. He also underlined that Pakistan and China are 'all-weather strategic cooperative partners,' adding that friendship between the two countries enjoys strong public and institutional support in both countries.
"Both sides remain committed to strengthening this abiding friendship and strategic partnership in all dimensions," he added. The law enforcement agencies conducted actions in various cities including Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Lahore in the past few days and arrested dozens of Chinese and Pakistani nationals allegedly involved in human trafficking of Pakistani girls through fake marriages.