Lawmakers in the National Assembly have expressed grave concern over reports of Pakistani citizens being tortured, extorted, and trafficked in Cambodia, where some victims are allegedly being sold for their organs.
The revelations came during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Rights, chaired by Agha Rafiullah. Members questioned how more than 18,000 Pakistanis had traveled to Cambodia within a year despite repeated warnings and reports of exploitation.
Rafiullah accused the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) of failing to properly monitor departures. He noted that many individuals traveled on newly issued passports under the guise of tourism, even though Cambodia offers limited attractions for Pakistani travelers.
The committee also criticized the absence of a permanent director general for the Bureau of Immigration, arguing that the lack of leadership hampers oversight. Lawmakers questioned why complaints about human trafficking had been ignored for months.
Committee member Mehreen Bhutto added that even educated professionals were increasingly willing to take risky routes abroad due to unemployment and limited prospects at home.
Officials noted that despite such challenges, overseas Pakistanis contributed $38 billion in remittances during 2024–25.
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