LAHORE: The civil society and family members of Pakistan Seraiki Party (PSP) former information secretary and Seraiki nationalist Abdul Sattar Thaheem are running a social media campaign for his safe return.

Thaheem, who dedicated years to the PSP and its late founder, Barrister Taj Muhammad Khan Langah, disappeared under mysterious circumstances six months ago, leaving no trace behind.

Thaheem was last seen at the residence of Rana Faraz Noon, the chairman of the Seraikistan Democratic Party (SDP), in Sabzazar Colony on Bosan Road, Multan.

On Oct 11, 2023, he departed Noon’s house to visit a friend in Kabirwala and never returned. His continued absence has raised serious concerns among his friends and family who have tirelessly sought his whereabouts but in vain.

Mr Noon confirmed that Thaheem was living at his house and left to meet his friend in Kabirwala but did not return.

He said a search campaign was lodged for Thaheem’s recovery and he could not be found. He demanded the police recover Mr Thaheem safe and sound.

Abdul Sattar Thaheem’s son Sherbaz lodged a complaint with BZ Police Station Multan for registration of a kidnap case but the police did not register the case till date.

The family also filed a petition before the court for registration of the case and the court ordered the police to look into the matter according to the law. Police only registered a ‘missing report’ on the direction of the court.

Sherbaz told Dawn his father was missing for the last six months and he had visited the police high-ups time and again but no official was willing to recover him. He demanded the government to take notice of the incident and direct the police to recover his father.

According to social media posts, Thaheem was living at the house of a local political leader when his mobile went off. The family has found belonging of the victim including clothes, medicines and shoes lying in the room. The family also suspected that he might have been murdered or became a victim of enforced disappearance. They demanded proper investigation into the matter and safe recovery of the victim.

Multan Regional Police Officer Sohail Chaudhry and City Police Officer Sadiq Ali Dogar were not available for comments.

Published in Dawn, May 18th, 2024