SHOCKING as it is, slavery is a widespread phenomenon in the modern world, with a large chunk of humanity deprived of their freedom. As per the Walk Free Foundation`s Global Survey Index released recently, there are over 45 million people trapped in slavery across the globe. The most, by far, are in India (18.35m), while China has 3.39m people living in slavery. Unfortunately, Pakistan is near the top of this unenviable list, with 2.13m individuals living in servitude. As per the report, practices such as forced labour, debt bondage and forced marriage all qualify as modern slavery. Experts say that over the years, the number of slaves has not increased, but more data has become available.

The fact that Pakistan is featured so prominently in this dubious list is a matter of deep distress. In this country, debt bondage is particularly acute, with the HRCP pointing out that over two million individuals are trapped in the brick kiln industry and the agriculture sector. Beyond these formal definitions of modern slavery, it is also true that many workers are treated as slaves in other sectors as well (for example, domestic help and sweatshops). They often work in slave-like conditions and are susceptible to exploitation. As far as the law goes, slavery is not only unconstitutional, the Supreme Court has also banned bonded labour many in the latter category have been freed. But as the data shows, despite these legal safeguards, far too many individuals in Pakistan remain caught in the vicious cycle of modern slavery, with entire families, in some cases, trapped in debt bondage. A law calling for the abolition of bonded labour was passed at the federal level in the early 1990s, but as with combating so many other social evils, implementation of the law has been wanting.

Furthermore, with devolution, the provinces are required to frame their own anti-slavery laws. While Punjab has done so, Sindh has not; the problem of bonded labour primarily affects these provinces. The district administration and police must be at the forefront of cracking down on slavery countrywide. Beyond enforcement of the law, there needs to be a societal realisation that makes it clear to all worker, employer, state that in the modern world, there is just no place for slavery in any form and that men and women, born free, cannot be `owned` by anyone. Moreover, particular attention must be given to rescuing minors from slavery.