Pakistan rejects inclusion in US Child Soldiers Prevention Act List

ISLAMABAD, July 03 (DNA): Pakistan has categorically rejected the
inclusion of its name in the US State Department’s “Child Soldiers
Prevention Act List”.

In a statement, Foreign Office Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said
we categorically reject the unsubstantiated and baseless inclusion of
Pakistan in the “Child Soldiers Prevention Act List” – published under a
domestic US legislation – in the US State Department’s Annual
Trafficking in Persons Report 2021.

He said Pakistan does not support any non-state armed group; nor any
entity recruiting or using child soldiers. He said Pakistan’s efforts in
fighting non-state armed groups including terrorist entities are well
recognized.

Foreign Office Spokesperson said the inclusion of Pakistan in the “CSPA
List” depicts a factual error and lack of understanding. He said no
State institution was consulted by the US prior to the publication of
the report. Nor were any details provided of the basis on which the
conclusion was reached.

He said overall, on the issue of Trafficking in Persons, Pakistan is
committed to fighting this scourge both at the national and
international levels. We have taken a range of legislative and
administrative actions in that regard during the last one year.
Foreign Office Spokesperson called upon the authorities concerned in the
United States to review the baseless assertions made in the TIP Report,
especially with regard to the unwarranted inclusion of Pakistan in the
“CSPA List.” DNA

====