KARACHI is a megacity and people travel long distances for work, education, trade etc. Mishaps such as road accidents can of course occur, while the danger of violent street crime is ever-present. In such a scenario, every family’s worst nightmare is that of a loved one falling victim to a mishap, and lying in a city hospital unable to give personal details. However, a project initiated by the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee is helping families identify and track down loved ones involved in road accidents or other mishaps. As reported recently in this paper, under the Shanakht project the CPLC is using biometric technology to identify unconscious victims lying in public hospitals following an accident or illness, and informing their next of kin. This is an exemplary project based on humanitarian concerns and deserves to be replicated in other cities of Sindh, and indeed nationally. In fact, the Shanakht project was initiated three years ago to identify unidentified bodies buried in Karachi. Together with the help of the Edhi Foundation and Nadra, the CPLC has helped trace the families of around 1,700 people who died in accidents and remained unidentified. Now, the project has been taken a step forward in an attempt to identify unconscious victims and alert their families.

Considering the importance of this project, the Sindh government should offer the CPLC and Edhi Foundation its full support, whether it is financial, logistical or technical. Families go through an excruciating time not knowing where their loved ones are in case of a mishap. Therefore, identifying unconscious victims, or those who have died in accidents, is an important public service. Through this project, victims can be reunited with their loved ones, or families can have a sense of closure by claiming the mortal remains of their kin. Perhaps DNA samples of the bodies/unconscious victims can also be maintained to aid identification. Forensic scientists and other technical experts can also be consulted to help improve the project, streamline it and expand it to other cities.

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2018