ISLAMABAD – Chinese embassy Saturday said that China is cooperating with Pakistani law enforcement agencies to launch crack down on illegal matchmaking centers after taking notice on reports that recently some unlawful matchmaking centers made illegal profits from brokering cross-national marriages.
The embassy responded to such media reports following the matter echoed at Pakistani parliament last week.
“We notice that recently some unlawful matchmaking centers made illegal profits from brokering cross-national marriages. Both Chinese and Pakistani youths are victims of these illegal agents,” the spokesman said while responding to a question about some media reports suggesting that several illegal matchmaking centers in Pakistan were brokering marriages between Chinese and Pakistani citizens.
However, the spokesman strongly refuted allegations that there exists illegal human trafficking or even sales of human organs.
“The (media) reports about sales of organs are misleading and groundless. Both China and Pakistan adopt rule of law and firmly oppose human trafficking and sales of human organs … Chinese laws and regulations strictly prohibit cross-national matchmaking centers. No individual is allowed to engage in any form of such activity by deception or for profit,” the official said.
The Chinese embassy spokesman added that the Chinese government also strictly prohibits any organization or individual from buying or selling human organs in any form, or engaging in such activities.
“For those who constitute a crime, criminal responsibility shall be investigated in accordance with the law. We remind both Chinese and Pakistani citizens to remain vigilant and not to be cheated. We also welcome valuable clues to combat such offenses,” the spokesman added.
At the same time, the spokesman said, it is hoped that reports should be based on the facts.
“We hope that the public do not believe in misleading information and work together to safeguard China-Pakistan friendship,” the spokesman concluded.
It merits mention that National Assembly Standing Committee on Law and Justice was informed on April 4 that Chinese citizens are marrying Pakistani women and then selling their organs.
Shanela Ruth, a lawmaker, contended during the parliamentary meeting that women in Punjab Province were being trapped by Chinese nationals in the name of marriage. She alleged that the Chinese men pretend to accept Islam, marry them (particularly the ones with a financially weaker background, offering them money) and then sell their organs.
She also alleged that organ harvesting has taken the shape of a business mafia in China, rising human rights concerns. Several reports in the past have also indicated that because of the unavailability of donors, the mafia has been selling organs of the prisoners, she contended.
