ISLAMABAD: The Congressional Pakistan Caucus has applauded Punjab’s drive to modernise its brick-kiln sector, saying the reforms may function a pilot for eliminating bonded labour and attracting moral international funding.
“…we prolong our honest appreciation in your authorities’s visionary efforts to moderni[s]e Punjab’s brick kiln trade as a way to deal with environmental challenges and eradicate bonded labo[u]r,” wrote Congressmen Thomas Suozzi and Jack Bergman in a letter addressed to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
Citing the US State Division’s 2022 Trafficking in Individuals Report, the lawmakers famous that greater than 4.5 million folks in Pakistan stay trapped within the peshgi system, an entrenched bonded-labour follow.
They mentioned the briefings they obtained highlighted the provincial administration’s “robust dedication to this transformative initiative”.
The letter emphasised that mechanising and modernising the brick kiln sector would assist Pakistan meet worldwide obligations whereas making Punjab “a extra engaging vacation spot for international direct funding”, significantly from American companies searching for moral and sustainable partnerships.
“These reforms will improve bilateral financial relations and strengthen the general Pakistan-US partnership,” the caucus wrote, including that Punjab is nicely positioned to function a pilot province for the initiative.
The lawmakers reaffirmed their assist, stating: “The Pakistan Caucus wholeheartedly helps all efforts to finish bonded labo[u]r,” and inspired the provincial management to succeed in out for help every time wanted.
