Swindled in Libya

Thousands of Pakistani jobseekers were allegedly cheated after being falsely promised jobs in Libya.

Allegedly, thousands of Pakistani jobseekers were cheated by Libyan and Pakistani recruitment firms after being falsely promised jobs in Libya. Upon arrival, they were assigned illegal immigrant status by authorities, rendering them unable to work. Finally, Pakistan has decided to take up the issue with the Libyan diplomatic mission. The matter must be scrutinised to the fullest as it seems that the corruption in the case has its roots within the bounds of the Libyan embassy, as well as in the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA); embassy staffers and FIA emigration officials are alleged to be involved.

Currently, a Foreign Office spokesperson says that the office is waiting for a response from the Libyan embassy. We must be vigilant in this regard to ascertain that the office is being aggressive in lieu of this passive statement. Libyan diplomats have been silent on the issue which must also be taken notice of. Despite a letter of complaint by the community welfare attache of the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation, no leader in Pakistan seems to have taken notice. This should not be entirely surprising as not even a major tragedy for the Pakistani people is, at times, enough for those holding some of the highest offices in the land to take notice. Last month, several Pakistanis were found to be stranded in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia on similar grounds. Nothing came of their stories; we heard no updates on whether their plights were resolved and whether they were allowed to return home.

This is another example of how widespread corruption is and how deep it is entrenched in many of our systems. Both Libyan and Pakistani authorities involved in the matter must work to resolve this issue until either the Pakistani emigrants are granted legal status and given jobs as promised, or allowed to return home safely. Additionally, those responsible for the corruption at both ends must be arrested as they have proven to be nothing more than frauds.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 3^rd, 2013.