Islamabad, March 31 – A recent raid near Sheikham, near Sarai Mughal in the Kasur district of Punjab province, Pakistan, uncovered a clinic allegedly involved in delivering vulnerable women and selling babies for profit. Arrests were made, and the clinic was shut down, but this was only a small part of a vast network that thrives due to a lack of oversight. Social stigma leaves women unprotected, local media has stated.
Three key vulnerabilities are often exploited in Pakistan. First, women who face social stigma, particularly unmarried mothers, are driven to secrecy, reducing oversight and increasing the risk of exploitation. Second, regulatory frameworks for healthcare facilities are poorly implemented, allowing unlicensed clinics to operate undetected for extended periods, as detailed in an editorial in Pakistan's leading daily, "The Express Tribune."
Third, organized intermediaries benefit from these conditions, ensuring that supply and demand continue uninterrupted. Effective intervention requires a coordinated approach, according to the newspaper. Law enforcement agencies must address cases of infant trafficking as organized criminal activity.
"The clinic and related cases must be examined not only for licensing and credentials, but also for patterns of suspicious deliveries and connections to broader networks. Investigations should identify all participants, including buyers and facilitators, and financial and logistical links must be traced. Women at risk require confidential support systems and access to regulated adoption frameworks," The Express Tribune mentioned.
Public awareness initiatives should be implemented to reduce stigma and encourage early reporting of exploitation. Furthermore, a dedicated law enforcement task force is needed, which has sole responsibility for dismantling such networks by mapping their operations to identify all actors and connections. This must be followed by arrests and punishments being awarded to all those involved in these networks.