KIDNAPPING is a common crime and has been neglected. Because of parental negligence, kidnappers find it easy to kidnap children of almost any age and, in return, they ask for ransom. Last year about 35,000 cases of child kidnapping were reported in Pakistan and they are said to be increasing this year. The reason behind this is not only lack of security but also lack of parental attention.

Parents nowadays do not give enough attention to their children and allow them to play in the street and go to the shop or to the park to play without knowing the environment. Kidnappings can be life-threatening as well, if the amount demanded by the kidnappers is not given on time. In such a situation, children can even be killed by kidnappers.

This phenomenon is also seen in Pakistan where the kidnappers ‘kill and dump’ children when they fail to get the money demanded. Every now and then a body is found in the garbage dump.

Moreover, children who have been rescued carry unforgettable scars. The help of family, friends and psychologists may be required to resettle the children who have been recovered after being kidnapped.

As children are the future of our country, all sectors must work in unison to help rehabilitate the child.
First, education plays an important role here: parents should teach their children how to protect themselves from strangers. Schools and colleges too should educate children how to defend themselves against an unwanted situation. The media should also raise awareness among the people about the causes and effects of kidnappings. The police have to be extremely active about this issue and the government should make strict laws to address the crime.

Kiran Fatima

Islamabad

Published in Dawn, August 11th, 2017