ISLAMABAD: The Congressional Pakistan Caucus has applauded Punjab’s drive to modernise its brick-kiln sector, saying the reforms could serve as a pilot for eliminating bonded labour and attracting ethical foreign investment.
“…we extend our sincere appreciation for your government’s visionary efforts to moderni[s]e Punjab’s brick kiln industry as a means to address environmental challenges and eliminate 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 Department’s 2022 Trafficking in Persons Report, the lawmakers noted that more than 4.5 million people in Pakistan remain trapped in the peshgi system, an entrenched bonded-labour practice.
They said the briefings they received highlighted the provincial administration’s “strong commitment to this transformative initiative”.
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