KARACHI: “Nabeel Baloch ko bazyab karo”, “UNO, where are you?”, “Meray papa ko riha karo” and “Aafia Siddiqi ko riha karo” were some of the slogans chanted outside the Karachi Press Club on Sunday at around 4pm to observe International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.

Some 70 to 80 people, mostly women and children, had gathered to take part in three rallies on the road housing the KPC.

One of the rallies was organised by the Baloch National Movement and Baloch Rights Council, the second which had substantial number of participants was arranged by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and a handful of women and children, led by a young boy of about 11 years, were demanding the ‘missing’ Aafia Siddiqui be recovered. Aafia is in a US prison for the alleged attempted murder of two US soldiers.


‘Where should I go to find my missing son?’


Inside the KPC, the MQM held a press conference demanding that the authorities concerned inform them about their abducted workers whose whereabouts were unknown.

“My husband has been missing for five months now. He is not a target killer. I have three daughters and they are taunted by other children saying ‘your father was a target killer’,” said a woman tearfully. She pleaded to the “Pakistan forces” to help her and other women find their husbands.

The wife of the head of an MQM unit office appealed to COAS Gen Raheel Sharif to locate her missing husband. “At least present him in court,” she said.

A father narrated his ordeal saying that his son was an employee at the Karachi Port Authority and had gone missing four months back. He had gone to several police stations to find his son’s whereabouts and also wrote letters to the Rangers DG. “I don’t know where he is. Where should I go to find him?”

Outside the rallies continued. Speaking to Dawn, a sister of Nabeel Baloch, said her brother had gone missing a year back. Studying at a government college in Lyari, she said her 24-year-old brother had nothing to do with politics. She, too, demanded that Nabeel be presented in court if he had committed a crime. “I have filed a petition in court but so far nothing has happened.”

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, which has repeatedly highlighted the issue of missing persons, was barely present at the rally. According to Asad Iqbal Butt, vice-chairperson of the Sindh chapter of HRCP, they did show up at 4pm but were soon overshadowed by the participants of the MQM rally. “We have no issues with any political party. A missing person is a missing person regardless of his political affiliation, but we were there.”

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

Opinion

Editorial

Afghan turbulence
Updated 19 Mar, 2024

Afghan turbulence

RELATIONS between the newly formed government and Afghanistan’s de facto Taliban rulers have begun on an...
In disarray
19 Mar, 2024

In disarray

IT is clear that there is some bad blood within the PTI’s ranks. Ever since the PTI lost a key battle over ...
Festering wound
19 Mar, 2024

Festering wound

PROTESTS unfolded once more in Gwadar, this time against the alleged enforced disappearances of two young men, who...
Defining extremism
Updated 18 Mar, 2024

Defining extremism

Redefining extremism may well be the first step to clamping down on advocacy for Palestine.
Climate in focus
18 Mar, 2024

Climate in focus

IN a welcome order by the Supreme Court, the new government has been tasked with providing a report on actions taken...
Growing rabies concern
18 Mar, 2024

Growing rabies concern

DOG-BITE is an old problem in Pakistan. Amid a surfeit of public health challenges, rabies now seems poised to ...