World Applied Sciences Journal 25 (7): 1007-1011, 2013 ISSN 1818-4952 © IDOSI Publications, 2013 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wasj.2013.25.07.2238 The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this paper are entirely those of the authors. They do not necessarily 1 represent the views of UNICEF and Punjab Social Welfare Department and its affiliated organizations Corresponding Author: Safana Shaheen, Department of Economics, University of Sargodha, Pakistan. E-mail: economist147@hotmail.com. 1007 Factors Responsible for Child Trafficking for Camel Racing in Pakistan 1 Safana Shaheen, Masood Sarwar Awan, Muhammad Waqas and Muhammad Amir Aslam 1 1 1 2 Department of Economics, University of Sargodha, Pakistan 1 District Courts Sargodha, Punjab Home Department, Pakistan 2 Submitted: may 7, 2013; Accepted: Jun 15, 2013; Published: Oct 25, 2013 Abstract: Children are the future of any nation and their protection is the first and foremost concern of any nation. Despite the efforts of international agencies, millions of people are illegally trafficked and vended for immoral purposes. The UNICEF particularly noticed the children involved in camel racing, after the stories of exploitation, misusing, sexually abusing through media men. This study tried to investigate the socio-economic characteristics of ex-camel jockeys of two districts of Punjab, Rahim Yar Khan and Muzafar Garh. The study interviewed 504 ex-camel jockeys from two districts of Punjab, Rahim Yar Khan and Muzafar Garh. Findings of the study explores that in both districts the factors behind the child trafficking for camel racing are same. The lack of education of parents, large family size, low income are found the main factors that curb rights of children and forced them to work as camel jockey. The study suggests that through family empowerment, capacity building, awareness building, provision of basic education, social protection and shelter and poverty alleviation can solve this issue to some extent. Key words: Child trafficking Camel racing Pakistan INTRODUCTION Pakistan is one of the leading countries from which The stories and the news regarding the children Bangladesh, Sudan, Mauritania, Eritrea and Somalia. involved in camel racing are heart-yanking. Visualize a Children are trafficked from Pakistan to Gulf States for child with 4 or 5 years of age, having tiny hands and legs, camel racing and in the beginning these children were perched on the top of a camel. The children’s petrified mainly taken from the poor families from the southern part screams make the camel run faster up to 35-40 km/h [1, 2]. of the Punjab, Pakistan. Compare those children with the Western children who Pakistan could be an ideal country to provide the have same age and still learning to ride a bicycle [3, 4]. jockey children as the labour is cheap and the population Children involved in camel racing claims special attention, is in millions with an average family size of about seven. after the sound efforts of UNICEF and other international The aim of this study is to highlight the socio-economic agencies to control and stop child trafficking involved in characteristics of ex-camel jockeys belonged from two camel racing. Trafficking is a violation of human rights, districts of Punjab, district Rahim Yar Khan (RYK) and which has several drawbacks which a country, society Muzafar Garh (MZG). and individual have to face. It is actually some type of Rest study is organized as, part two presents exploitation of the weaker members of the society. information about data and methodology, part three In many of the states, the problem of trafficking of the explains the results and findings and last part give children still exists and according to the UN, it is the conclusion and some policy implications. primary responsibility of the states to establish policies, formulate laws and extend services for the protection and Data and Methodology: In order to explore the socio- care of these hapless children, in accordance with the economic characteristics of ex-camel jockeys the UN Convention. Among all these aggrieved ones, the questionnaire was developed. The study interviewed 504 camel jockey children claim a special attention. ex-camel jockeys in the districts of Rahim Yar Khan and humans are illegally exported along with India,