Bonded Labourers Freed in Raid, Probe Flaws Revealed

In a recent raid on a brick kiln near Khadar, 20 bonded labourers were freed, highlighting the ongoing issue of bonded labour in Pakistan. The raid was conducted by the authorities, and the labourers were reportedly subjected to forced labour and exploitation. According to a report by Dawn, the labourers were forced to work for long hours without any payment or proper living conditions. The investigation into the case revealed several flaws, including a low conviction rate, which indicates a lack of effective prosecution of such cases. The Tribune reported that the conviction rate for bonded labour cases has dipped, revealing the probe's flaws. The issue of bonded labour remains a pressing concern in Pakistan, with many cases going unreported and unpunished. The authorities must take concrete steps to address this issue and ensure that those responsible are held accountable. The freedom of the 20 labourers is a welcome step, but much more needs to be done to eradicate bonded labour from the country.