If the trade representative's office finds Pakistan guilty, billions of dollars in exports would be lost ato sanctionsThe US Trade Representative's decision to place Pakistan among 60 countries facing investigations into forced labour should be seen as an embarrassment for us. If the trade representative's office finds Pakistan guilty, we would stand to lose billions of dollars worth of exports due to sanctions and other trade restrictions. For years, Pakistan's struggle against child and bonded labour has been a story of piecemeal laws and inadequate enforcement, which often becomes even more lax at times when demand for labour increases, especially in export-oriented industries. Among the steps most likely to be needed to meet any requirements for US market access would be the establishment of a transparent track-and-trace system for US-bound goods, along with stronger enforcement of human trafficking laws and the upholding of labour rights. As is often the case, the laws are already on the books.

Source: The Express Tribune March 15, 2026 13:24 UTC